Ordering Recommendation

Limited data exists to support the use of bactericidal assays in the management of complicated bacterial infections, such as endocarditis and osteomyelitis.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Actively growing isolate in pure culture AND serum or body fluid. Collect using aseptic technique.

Specimen Preparation

Organism: Transport sealed container with pure culture on agar slant or in bacterial transport media. Place each specimen in an individually sealed bag.
AND Serum or Body Fluid: Transfer 2 mL serum or body fluid to a sterile container and freeze. (Min: 1 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Organism: Room temperature.
Serum or Body Fluid: Frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Mixed cultures or non-viable organisms.

Remarks

Isolate identification and specimen source required. A list of all antibiotics the patient is receiving or has received in the past 48 hours must be provided (this information is essential for test performance; missing information may cause delays in turnaround time).

Stability

Organism: Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable
Serum or Body Fluid:
Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 24 hours; Frozen: 1 week

Methodology

Broth Microdilution

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

3-6 days

Reference Interval

Interpretive report provided.

Interpretive Data

There is limited data supporting the use of bactericidal assays in the management of complicated bacterial infections, such as endocarditis and osteomyelitis. Results should be interpreted with caution.

Compliance Category

Standard

Note

If more than one antibiotic is being used, the peak sample should be drawn after completion of the second antibiotic. Both peak and trough levels are usually obtained for bactericidal assays.

An additional processing fee will be billed for all organisms not submitted in pure culture, as indicated in the specimen requirements.

If species identification is not provided, identification will be performed at ARUP. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87197

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0060204 Antimicrobial - Bactericidal Assays 15336-1
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • BCT
  • Schlichter Assay
  • Schlichter Test
  • Serum Bactericidal Assay
Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Bactericidal Assays