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