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), lipid culture and species identification and if positive for M. tuberculosis, complete drug susceptibility testing for first-line TB medication. Genotyping is also completed for at least one specimen for all culture-positive patients.
Listed below are several links which provide additional laboratory information: