Test Name: Urine, Early morning for Mycobacterium 
Alternate Test Names AFB (Acid and Alcohol Fast Bacilli)- urine; Atypical Mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium complex)-urine; EMU - Early morning urine for TB; Mycobacteria investigation- urine; TB investigation- urine 
PLS Test Code TB  Laboratory Microbiology 
Specimen Urine  Analysis Performed On  
Container Urine container 200ml  Container colour Yellow 
Multiple specimens  
Required Volume Adult (mL)   Req Vol Paediatric (mL)  
Reference Ranges  
Turnaround Time Routine   Turnaround Time Urgent  
Turnaround Other Microscopy < 8 hours Culture <6 weeks 
Days test is performed Daily Monday to Friday  Transport 4 degrees C (On Ice) 
Special Requirements Three early morning urine voidings Submit entire urine voided. Minimise contamination. Hold urine at 4º pending transport to the laboratory. 
Patient Preparation Give the patient three Early Morning Urine containers (not MSU containers). Make sure they are clearly labelled with patient details and labelled specimens 1,2, and 3. Early morning specimens are required. Collect on three succesive days. The patient may store the specimens in the refrigerator until all three have been collected. Delivery on the day of collection is preferred. 
Collection Instructions In each collection, the entire voiding is collected. 
Clinical Information  
Sent to Reference Laboratory No 
Ref Laboratory Name  
Estimated Patient Fee N/A 
Last Updated 25-Aug-2006 (Version: 1.00)