Mayo Test Catalog, (Sorted By Test Name) - Mayo Medical ...

SAFB
8213
ACT
8221
the era of enzyme replacement therapy. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis 2008 Jun;9(4):421-431 4. Enns GM,
Steiner RD, Cowan TM: Lysosomal disorders. In Pediatric Endocrinology and Inborn Errors of
Metabolism. Edited by K Sarafoglou, GF Hoffmann, KS Roth. McGraw-Hill, Medical Publishing
Division, 2009, pp 750-751
Acid-Fast Smear for Mycobacterium
Clinical Information: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a leading infectious disease cause of death
worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a rise in the incidence of
tuberculosis associated with AIDS, foreign-born cases, and increased transmission in high-risk
populations. There has also been a rise in the number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains that exhibit
resistance to 1 or more antituberculosis drugs. The public health implications of these facts are
considerable. Because Mycobacterium tuberculosis is readily spread by airborne particles, rapid diagnosis
and isolation of infected persons is important. Detection of acid-fast bacilli in sputum specimens allows
rapid identification of individuals who are likely to be infected while definitive diagnosis and treatment
are pursued.
Useful For: Detection of acid-fast bacilli in clinical specimens
Interpretation: Patients whose sputum specimens are identified as acid-fast positive should be
considered potentially infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, pending definitive diagnosis by
molecular methods and/or mycobacterial culture.
Reference Values:
Negative (reported as positive or negative)
Clinical References: Pfyffer GE, Brown-Elliot BA, Wallace RJ: General characteristics, isolation,
and staining procedures. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 8th edition. Washington, DC, ASM Press,
2003, pp 532-559
Actinomyces Culture
Clinical Information: Anaerobic Actinomyces are non sporeforming, thin branching, gram-positive
bacilli which are part of the normal flora of the human oral cavity and which may also colonize the
gastrointestinal and female genital tracts. Their presence is important in preserving the usual bacterial
populations of the mouth and in preventing infection with pathogenic bacteria. Actinomyces are generally
of low pathogenicity but may be an important factor in the development of periodontal disease and may
cause soft tissue infections in colonized areas of the body following trauma (surgical or otherwise). The
typical lesion consists of an outer zone of granulation around central purulent loculations containing
masses of tangled organisms ("sulfur granule"). Chronic burrowing sinus tracts develop. Typical
actinomycotic infections occur around the head and neck, in the lung and chest wall, and in the peritoneal
cavity and abdominal wall. Actinomycosis of the female genital tract occurs in association with use of
intrauterine contraceptive devices. Purulent collections containing "sulfur granules" may drain from some
sinus tracts opening to the skin.
Useful For: Diagnosing anaerobic Actinomyces involved in infections
Interpretation: Isolation of anaerobic Actinomyces in significant numbers from well collected
specimens including blood, other normally sterile body fluids, or closed collections of purulent fluid
indicates infection with that (those) organism(s).
Reference Values:
Not applicable
Clinical References: 1. Finegold SM, George WL: Anaerobic Infections in Humans. San Diego,
CA, Academic Press, 1989 2. Summanen P, Baron EJ, Citron D, et al: Wadsworth Anaerobic
Bacteriology Manual, 5th edition. Star Publishing Co. 1993
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