Nocardia Culture and Gram Stain

Casandra

Casandra Test Code AR22729Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab ARUP LaboratoriesLab Test ID 0060093CPT Code 87070

Nocardia Culture and Gram Stain

Also known as: MC NOC

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

The Nocardia Culture and Gram Stain test is employed to detect Nocardia and other aerobic actinomycetes, which can cause infection in various parts of the body, including the lungs, skin, and brain. Identifying these organisms is crucial for proper treatment, as they often present non-specific symptoms and may not be suspected initially. This test is particularly significant for immunocompromised patients, where Nocardia infections are more common and can be severe.

Special Instructions

If the Nocardia culture is positive, further identification procedures are applied, which are billed separately. Additionally, for susceptibility testing, practitioners should order the Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Nocardia (test code 0060193). It is recommended to perform susceptibility testing on all significant Nocardia isolates to guide effective treatment. The culture method also detects other actinomycetes such as Streptomyces, Rhodococcus, Gordona, and Tsukamurella. Practitioners can submit a Nocardia isolate for identification using ARUP test code 0060115 or order ARUP test code 0065070 for identification with reflex to susceptibility.

Limitations

The Nocardia Culture and Gram Stain test has limitations regarding the time to detect positive cultures, which can take between 1 to 15 days depending on the growth of the organism. For negative reports, the culture is reported at 15 days. Furthermore, while this test detects Nocardia and related actinomycetes, identification relies on further DNA sequencing for most isolates. Frozen specimens are unacceptable, and the test's performance is not certified by the FDA, although it is conducted in a CLIA-certified laboratory.

Test Details

New York Approved