CPT® Code 87116

Culture, tubercle or other acid-fast bacilli (eg, TB, AFB, mycobacteria) any source, with isolation and presumptive identification of isolates

The CPT® Code 87116 refers to a laboratory procedure known as the culture of tubercle or other acid-fast bacilli, which includes organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB). In this procedure, a tissue sample is collected from a patient and placed in a specialized growth medium that supports the proliferation of acid-fast bacilli. The primary goal of this culture is to isolate and presumptively identify any acid-fast bacilli that may be present in the sample. This process is crucial for diagnosing infections caused by these bacteria, as it allows for the detection of organisms that are often difficult to identify through standard laboratory techniques. The identification of these bacilli is essential for determining the appropriate treatment and management of conditions such as tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections.