Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex NAAT

EPIC Order		Lab Orderable Only: See Important Comments
CPT Codes		87556
Laboratory		Molecular Microbiology
Group/Individual Test		Individual
Tube Station		82
Specimen	Routine:	Smear Positive respiratory samples. See Comments
Availability	Routine:	Monday-Friday
	STAT:	Director Approval Only
Turnaround Time		24 hrs from positive smear result
Comments	Only first-time or new episode smear-positive respiratory samples will be tested automatically. Testing of smear positive extra-pulmonary specimens and smear-negative respiratory specimens will be performed by physician request only (Call Special Microbiology, 984-974-1830. Not available on stool or grossly bloody samples) The sensitivity of smear-positive respiratory specimens is 98-100% while the sensitivity of smear-negative respiratory specimens is 70-72%. Specificity of respiratory specimens is 99-100%.

Reviewed by J. Carr on November 23, 2025

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514