AFB Culture and AFB Smear Tests- Why am I having this test?
AFB culture and AFB smear tests are done to look for tuberculosis (TB). TB is a disease that is caused by germs (acid-fast bacilli or mycobacteria) that often affect the lungs.
These tests are done on your sputum. Sputum is phlegm, which is thick mucus that is coughed up from the lungs. The AFB (acid-fast bacilli) smears are done when a smear of sputum is viewed under the microscope and a specialist looks for the germs that cause TB.
AFB culture and AFB smear tests may be done if you have a long-standing (chronic) cough, weight loss, fever, chills, and weakness that may be due to a tuberculosis infection. These tests are also used to monitor treatment. TB spreads through the air in secretions from your lungs. It is a public health risk. It is easily spread in confined populations. The very young, the elderly, or people with poor defense systems (immune systems) tend to be vulnerable. AFB cultures and AFB smears can help to track and minimize the spread of TB in these populations.
What kind of sample is taken?
Usually, three sputum samples are collected early in the morning on different days. You may be asked to collect the samples at home. Your health care provider will tell you if there are other special instructions for collecting the sputum.
How do I prepare for this test?
There is no preparation required for this test.
What are the reference results?
Reference results are considered healthy results established after testing a large group of healthy people. Reference results may vary among different people, labs, and hospitals. It is your responsibility to obtain your test results. Ask the lab or department performing the test when and how you will get your results.
For this test, results are normal if no bacilli are seen.
What do the results mean?
If AFB are identified, tuberculosis is highly suspected and further testing and treatment may be needed.
Talk with your health care provider to discuss your results, treatment options, and if necessary, the need for more tests. Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions about your results.
Talk with your health care provider to discuss your results, treatment options, and if necessary, the need for more tests. Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions about your results.
