Understanding Your Laboratory Test: A Patient's Guide to What It Is and Why It Matters
This test checks if the bacteria causing your infection respond to bedaquiline, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis.
{"Bedaquiline susceptibility testing determines if slow-growing mycobacteria can be treated with bedaquiline medication","The test is performed on serum samples in a specialized laboratory","Results help doctors choose the most effective antibiotic treatment for your infection","This test is particularly important for drug-resistant tuberculosis cases","Results typically take several weeks as mycobacteria grow slowly"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 88704-2
- Short code
- BDQ-SUS-SGM
- Synonyms
- Bedaquiline Islt SlowMyco
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container for mycobacterial culture isolate; or transport medium approved for mycobacterial specimens
- Units
- N/A
- Ref high
- 1
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- method-for-slow-growing-mycobacteria
- CPT
- 87188
- SNOMED
- 1007170006
- Specimen volume
- Pure culture isolate of slow-growing mycobacteria on solid or liquid media; minimum volume not applicable to isolate-based testing
- Stability
- Mycobacterial isolates stable at 2-8°C for transport; process within 24-48 hours of collection. If delays expected, maintain at room temperature in appropriate transport medium.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 168–672 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test, and what information does it provide about my health?
The Bedaquiline Susceptibility Test is a laboratory test that determines whether slow-growing mycobacteria (such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis) are sensitive or resistant to bedaquiline, a powerful antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis. This test is crucial for patients with drug-resistant TB or those who have not responded to standard treatments.
How is this test performed, and what happens during the testing procedure?
A blood sample (serum) is collected from you and sent to a specialized laboratory. Technicians expose the mycobacteria isolated from your sample to bedaquiline to see if the bacteria can still grow. If the bacteria do not grow in the presence of the drug, they are considered susceptible. If they continue to grow, they are considered resistant.
Why is this test important for diagnosing my condition and guiding my treatment?
Bedaquiline is an important second-line treatment for tuberculosis, especially for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). This test helps your doctor determine if bedaquiline will be effective against your specific infection, allowing for personalized and more effective treatment planning.
What should I expect before, during, and after the test is completed?
The test requires a simple blood draw. Results may take several weeks because slow-growing mycobacteria require time to culture and test. Your healthcare provider will discuss the results with you and explain how they affect your treatment plan.
Reference range
Interpretive criteria per CLSI M24 guidelines: Susceptible (S) ≤1.0 mcg/mL; Resistant (R) >1.0 mcg/mL. MIC values reported in mcg/mL.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Specimen should be collected prior to next dose of anti-tuberculous therapy when possible. Coordinate with microbiology lab for proper specimen transport conditions.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is clinically significant for patients with suspected or confirmed tuberculosis, particularly those with drug-resistant forms. It guides physicians in selecting appropriate antibiotic therapy, helps prevent treatment failure, and contributes to better patient outcomes. The results can also help track drug resistance patterns in communities.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to prepare for this test?
What do the results mean?
Is this test only for tuberculosis?
Will my insurance cover this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3LOINC Code ReferenceSource
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy