The Sputum Acid Fast Bacilli test is generally useful for diagnosis from Sputum Samples, The Sputum AFB test (Acid-Fast Bacillus test) is a diagnostic test used to detect the presence of tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in the lungs. It checks for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause pulmonary TB.
The test is mainly used to:
Diagnose active pulmonary tuberculosis
Monitor the effectiveness of TB treatment
Detect other acid-fast bacilli (AFB) like non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Patient should give the thick part of the sputum not the saliva
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Pneumonia Respiratory Pulmonology
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The Sputum AFB (Acid-Fast Bacillus) test is a laboratory test used to detect bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) and other mycobacterial infections. It checks for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a sample of sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs).
This test is primarily done to:
Diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis
Monitor treatment response in TB patients
Detect other non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections
You will be asked to cough deeply and spit sputum into a sterile container, usually early in the morning.
Often, 3 samples are collected on 3 consecutive days for accuracy.
In some cases, sputum is induced using saline mist if you can't produce it naturally.
Ideally, rinse your mouth with water before collection (but don’t use mouthwash).
Collect the sample before eating or drinking in the morning.
The microscopy result (AFB smear) is usually available within 1–2 days.
Culture results may take 2–6 weeks, as TB bacteria grow slowly.
GeneXpert/CBNAAT (a rapid molecular test) can give results in a few hours and also detect rifampicin resistance.
