Mycobacterium – detection – Gastric lavage

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Detection of acid fast bacilli in gastric lavage
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Bacteriology
Specimen Type	○ Gastric lavage (≥ 5 mL)

Other Information

○ Specimens that have not been neutralized and that arrive at the laboratory greater than 6 hours after collection will not be processed.

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Sterile container

Collection Requirements

○ Insert a Levin tube in the esophagus to reach the stomach, about 55cm from the mouth. Aspirate gastric content with a syringe. Collect at least 5mL of gastric lavage in a sterile container, ideally early in the morning before food and water intake.

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

Public Health Ontario Laboratory (PHOL)

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Microscopy: 1 day
○ Culture: Up to 49 days; a positive culture is reported within 24h of growth

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4432

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.

○ Specimens should be stored at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C) after collection if transport is delayed more than one hour. Transport to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory ASAP after collection

○ The specimen will be referred to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing