Specimen Type

Sputum (5-20 mL preferred, 2 mL minimum):  early morning collection in a sterile leak-proof container.  Limit the number of samples to 3 specimens collected consecutively in 8- to 24-hour intervals, with at least one being an early morning specimen.  Early morning sputum specimen is preferred.

Early morning urine (≥ 40 mL) in a sterile leak-proof container should be submitted daily for at least 3 days.

Gastric aspirate (5-20mL), body fluid (CSF at least 1-2 mL, other body fluids 5-50 mL preferred, 1 mL minimum) and tissue (1 gram) in a sterile leak-proof container

at  least 1-2 ml CSF, 5-20 ml gastric aspirate, ≥ 40ml urine, 5-50 ml body fluid, or 1 gram of tissue.