Laboratory Services

The North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Microbiology (or Public Health Laboratory [PHL]) is prepared to assist in the early detection of TB by reducing laboratory turnaround time for reporting positive smear, culture, identification and susceptibility results. The American Thoracic Society recommends using a laboratory such as the PHL, which examines a minimum of 20 mycobacteriology specimens per week to remain proficient. It is important to find a good, full-service reference laboratory that is both timely and accurate.

Services Available Through North Dakota PHL

• Results of acid-fast stains reported within 24 hours of receipt. Service available Monday through Friday.
• Rapid detection of M. tuberculosis through amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis Direct (MTD) testing of smear positive and smear negative respiratory specimens.
• Detection of mycobacteria within two weeks of specimen receipt using the BACTEC 460, a liquid medium automated procedure.
• Identification of M. tuberculosis complex, M. avium complex, M. gordonae, and M. kansasii using the Accuprobe is completed within one day once the organism is growing in culture.
• Susceptibility testing of new M. tuberculosis isolates to primary drugs. On average, results are available within three to four weeks of specimen receipt.

To contact Tuberculosis Program staff for more information click here.

Copyright © 2006 North Dakota Department of Health

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