The South Dakota State Public Health Laboratory provides full diagnostic laboratory services for the diagnosis of tuberculosis COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL SPECIMENS SUBMITTED. Specimen containers may be requested from the State Public Health Laboratory by calling (605) 773-3368. Specimen containers are available free of charge for the following specimen types: sputum, blood, bone marrow, spinal fluid and any other body fluid (i.e. pleural, pericardial, joint, abdominal). Blood or bone marrow specimens may also be submitted in a SPS collection tube (yellow top). The EDTA collection tube is NOT to be used as it inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Laboratory testing conducted at the State Public Health Laboratory for tuberculosis includes concentrated AFB smear testing (completed and reported within 24 hours of receipt of the specimen), BACTEC testing and species identification and if positive for M. tuberculosis, complete drug susceptibility testing.
Since 2004, the South Dakota State Public Health Laboratory has offered the MTD (Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct) test on a limited basis. This test is available by request only and requires pre-approval from the State Laboratory or Tuberculosis Control Program. For additional information on the testing, please call the State Public Health Laboratory at (605) 773-3368 or the Tuberculosis Control Program at (605) 773-3737 or 1-800-592-1861 or see the link below for the MTD information sheet.
Listed below are several links which provide additional laboratory information:
