Section 325.179. Submission of tuberculosis laboratory specimens and test results.

(1) For the purpose of this rule, "preliminary result" includes, but is not limited to, results from nucleic acid amplification tests, nucleic acid or other genetic probe tests, chromatographic or other such tests that may be performed prior to final culture identification of a clinical specimen.

(2)      A laboratory that initially receives any clinical specimen which yields Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, or yields a preliminary result indicative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, is responsible for ensuring that the following are submitted:

(a)   All preliminary results and any interpretation of those results to the appropriate local health department.

(b)   The first Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolate, or subculture thereof, from the patient being tested for tuberculosis, to the department.

(c)   Any Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolate, or subculture thereof, from a follow-up specimen, collected 90 days or more after the collection of the first Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex positive specimen.

History: 1993 AACS; 2009 AACS.