Collection of Urine or
Sputum for AFB

Available from any Clinical Labs collection centre.

Urine:

• 3x 70mL yellow-top containers

Sputum:

• 3x 70mL yellow-top containers

URINE

• Collect 3 early-morning urine specimens on 3 consecutive days into the sterile 70 mL yellow-top containers provided. The entire first urine of the morning is preferred, if possible.
• Screw the lid firmly onto the container to avoid spillage.
• Write your surname, first given name, date of birth and the date/time of collection on the containers label.
• Refrigerate all specimens and deliver all 3 specimens to a Clinical Labs collection centre on the 3rd day.
• The collection staff will check your details (surname, first given name, date of birth and date/time of collection on the container label) against the pathology request form to ensure the sample is matched to the doctor’s request. This is done to ensure the safety and security of the reporting of your results.
• Inform your doctor if you are taking antibiotics, as this may affect the results.

SPUTUM

Sputum is a fluid from the lungs that often contains pus and could be of a thick consistency.

• 3 early morning sputum samples are to be collected on each of 3 consecutive days. A 70 mL sterile, yellow-top container is provided for each collection.
• Remove any dentures, gargle with water and rinse your mouth.
• Cough deeply to produce a specimen of sputum into the container provided.
• Ensure specimen is sputum, not saliva. Saliva only is not acceptable. Saliva is a clear fluid from the mouth.
• Early morning specimens are preferred to avoid food contamination, but are not essential.
• Screw the lid firmly onto the container to avoid spillage.
• Write your surname, first given name, date of birth and the date/time of collection on the container’s label.
• Refrigerate all specimens and deliver all 3 samples to a Clinical Labs collection centre on the 3rd day.
• The collection staff will check your details (surname, first given name, date of birth and date/time of collection on the container label) against the pathology request form to ensure the sample is matched to the doctor’s request. This is done to ensure the safety and security of the reporting of your results.

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