AFB Stain - Ascitic Fluid Test Cost & Procedure

This aids in the detection of infections brought on by Mycobacterium TB and other Mycobacterium species, as well as the monitoring of treatment efficacy.

What are ascites?

Ascites symptoms include things like:

• abdominal bloating from the sides
• abdominal fluid moving sensation

To confirm ascites, an ultrasonography exam could be performed.

Once ascites have been identified, the physician must identify the underlying reason because the prognosis for ascites necessitating hospitalisation drops to about 85% after a year. The ascitic fluid test is one method for determining why fluid has accumulated in a body.

What colour is the fluid in ascites?

Normal ascites fluid is clear and light yellow. Yet, when it is aberrant, it may be turbid, chylous, red, or green.

• Each colour corresponds to a cause.
  • The crimson ascitic fluid implies hemorrhagic pancreatitis, intra-abdominal bleeding, tumour infiltration, or trauma.
  • The colour green denotes intestine perforation and gallbladder rupture.

Why is this test recommended?

Weight loss, appetite loss, a persistent cough, a fever with an evening rise in temperature, chills, enlarged neck nodes (lymph nodes), weakness, etc. When tuberculosis is suspected, when TB screening test results are positive, when exposed to a person diagnosed with tuberculosis, etc.

When are AFB tests conducted?

When a person exhibits signs of tuberculosis, such as a persistent cough, weight loss, fever (evening rise in temperature), chills, appetite loss, swollen lymph nodes, and weakness. Whether the results of the TB screening test are positive and to evaluate how well the TB treatment is working.

 Is it possible for tuberculosis to remain asymptomatic?

Yes. Typical signs of an active tuberculosis infection include weight loss, appetite loss, fever, coughing, chills, etc. However, people can be asymptomatic if the tuberculosis infection is dormant.

What other organisms besides Mycobacterium tuberculosis can the AFB stain detect?

MAC, Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium bovis, Nocardia species, etc., are examples of mycobacteria.

What does an AFB smear mean?

If acid-fast bacilli (Mycobacterium) are discovered when the AFB smear is inspected under a microscope, it is reported as positive and graded by the RNTCP standards. Before declaring the AFB stain to be negative, at least 100 oil immersion fields are inspected.

What does it do?

Acid Fast Stain is what it's called. The differential stain, known as AFB, is used to identify tubes using scoliosis-causing Mycobacterium and other acid-fast bacilli (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). For a preliminary diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection using a direct method, this is advised. Mycobacterium is a rod-shaped bacteria classified as acid-fast bacilli because, when stained, it keeps its original colour even after additional acid treatment. These bacteria are rated according to the number of bacilli found after being discovered under a microscope. AFB stain is a quick, low-cost, and easy way to find mycobacteria.