Alaska Tuberculosis Program Manual - Epidemiology - State of Alaska

Laboratories should report positive smears or positive cultures, and primary healthcare
providers should report suspected or confirmed cases of TB to the health department, as
specified in the “Reporting Tuberculosis” topic in the Surveillance section (2.6). Prompt
reporting allows the health department to organize treatment and case management
services and to initiate a contact investigation as quickly as possible. 4
For information on reporting, see the “Reporting Tuberculosis” topic in the
Surveillance section 2.6.
For laboratory services available in Alaska, contact the Mycobacteriology
Department at 907-334-2139.
Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT):
The ASPHL will perform testing on initial smear-positive respiratory specimens using the real-time TB
PCR assay if the provider authorizes testing and the patient meets the criteria outlined below. The TB
PCR Testing Authorization Form must be completed prior to testing. Additionally, ASPHL will perform
TB PCR testing on smear-negative specimens from patients considered to be TB suspects upon
provider request and pre-approval from the Alaska Tuberculosis Control Program.
Patient Criteria
Patient must have signs and symptoms of pulmonary TB
Patient must be reported to the Alaska Tuberculosis Control Program as a TB suspect or TB
case (907-269-8000)
Patient must not have been diagnosed with TB or a non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection or
received treatment within the last 12 months
The TB PCR Testing Authorization Form is available in the Forms Section of the
Manual 18.1.
Refer to Table 3: PCR Testing Algorithm and Result Interpretation for information about interpreting
the results of PCR (NAA Testing).
A L A S K A T U B E R C U L O S I S P R O G R A M M A N U A L Laborator y Services 12.5
Revised November 2012