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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CULTURE, NOCARDIA

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2139    Geisinger Epic ID:  35226

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Body fluids, bone, respiratory secretions, tissue, wounds


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

Fluids: 5-10 mL; minimum 1 ml. Tissues: 0.5-1 cm diameter (pea size); minimum 0.2 cm diameter (rice grain).


Special notes: 

Preferred swab collection device is the ESwab. Sterile specimen container, anaerobic transport media (ATM), collection trap, C&S preservative tube, BD CultureSwab, BD CultureSwab Plus, Health Link Transport Sterile Liquid Stuart, Amies or Stuarts Liquid Stuarts Swabs, and Amies Gel Swabs are also acceptable. A Gram stain will be performed on most clinical specimens when possible. See Microbiology Collection Appendix for collection instructions. Check expiration date on transport device before use.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Room temperature (18-25°C)


Specimen stability: 

Approved swab: Room temperature 72 hours 
Specimen in ATM: Room temperature 72 hours 
Sterile container: Room temperature or 2-8°C 24 hours 
 


Rejection criteria: 

Improperly labeled/identified specimen. Expired collection/transport device. Quantity of specimen insufficient. Frozen specimens. Specimens in formalin. Delay in transport.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

No aerobic actinomycetes isolated


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Specific aerobic actinomycete isolate
CPT code(s):  87205, 87081
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Isolation and identification of aerobic actinomycetes. Additional charges may apply.


Methodology: 
Culture
Smear
Synonyms: 

Aerobic actinomycete, actinomycete culture, nocardia; nocardia smear and culture, NCRD


Clinical significance: 

Detection and identification of aerobic actinomycetes can assist in the determination of clinical disease and guide appropriate therapy when required


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Julie Hirschhorn, PhD, HCLD(ABB)
Review Date:  12/31/2024

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