AFB Test - Price, Types, Procedure, Preparation

In this article, we will read about the AFB test and Price, Types, Procedure, Preparation in detail.

What is the Acid Fast Bacillus (AFB) test?

Acid-fast Bacillus(AFB) is a type of Bacteria that causes Tuberculosis and other chronic infections of the lungs TB also affects the regions of the Brain, spine and Kidney and it can be recognised through early signs such as Coughing and sneezing to diagnose this condition your doctor will recommend the AFB test to check for the Active TB by checking the Sputum for the presence of Bacteria, Sputum is the thick mucus present in the Lungs and different from the Saliva.

What is the Purpose of the AFB Test?

The AFB stain test helps detect the presence of acid-fast bacillus bacteria that cause mycobacterium tuberculosis test has the following purposes

To Diagnose Tuberculosis (TB): It helps detect TB which is a transmissible bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs. Early diagnosis helps to control its spread to other regions.
To identify the cause of symptoms: If there is coughing and sneezing and a weakened immune system response and it may be due to TB exposure, this helps detect TB through sputum Lab testing.
To check for other mycobacterial infections: This test can also detect other mycobacterial infections, such as non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections and infections caused by Mycobacterium leprae (leprosy).
To Monitor treatment efficacy: To monitor the medication response. against the bacteria, a low amount of acid-fast bacilli in sputum over time indicates a favourable treatment response.

What are the Symptoms that call for an AFB test?

There are some early signs and symptoms that are observed due to bacterial infection these are:

What is the preparation for the ACB Test?

This test does not require any additional preparation but there are some guidelines that you need to follow before going for a test

Consult with a Doctor: Inform your doctor if you are taking any kind of medication as any medication can affect the result.
No Fasting: No fasting is required for the test.
Avoid Smoking or Brushing Teeth: Avoid smoking or brushing your teeth before providing the sputum sample as it may affect the sputum which can affect the result accuracy.

What is the procedure for AFB Testing?

This test requires a Sputum Sample Collection for Lab testing the Procedure is:

Gargle with water to clear your mouth.
Take a deep breath and cough strongly to produce sputum from your lungs.
Spit the sputum straight into a clean, wide-mouthed container provided by your test centre
The gathered sputum will be transported to the laboratory for analysis.

Types of AFB Testing

There are several tests available to detect mycobacterial infections, especially tuberculosis (TB). These tests vary in their application and procedures some of these tests are:

AFB Smear Test: This test involves "smearing" a sample on a glass slide, followed by a microscopic examination It takes only 1-2 days for the result to come and provide probable or likely indications of an infection. Nonetheless, it cannot definitively diagnose the condition.
AFB Culture Test: In this test sample is cultured in a specialized environment to promote bacterial growth, over time the growth of TB and other infections can be observed and it approximately 6-8 weeks for the result to materialize due to the necessary bacterial growth time.
Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs): These tests are based on advanced techniques which include the amplification of specific DNA sequences of mycobacteria. NAATs include methods like GeneXpert, which provides rapid and automated detection of TB and drug resistance.
Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST): This test is done after TB is confirmed through AFB testing or other methods this test is performed to diagnose the susceptibility of the mycobacteria to specific anti-TB medications.

Other tests to Diagnose Tuberculosis include

What do we know from test results?

If AFB is detected in the sputum it indicates that the result is positive and suggests the possibility of having a myocardial infarction, However, AFB tests alone cannot confirm the condition for this other culture and molecular tests are required to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis here are the two possible results of the test reports:

Positive result: A positive test result confirms the presence of acid-fast bacilli in the sample this shows the possibility of an active pulmonary TB infection in respiratory samples like sputum and some additional tests, such as culture and molecular tests (e.g., PCR), may be needed to identify the specific mycobacterial species to confirm the diagnosis.
Negative Result: A negative result means the absence of acid-fast bacilli. The negative AFB stain test does not completely rule out the presence of TB, as the bacteria may not always be observable in the early phase of the infections. depending on the symptoms, further testing and clinical analysis may be necessary to determine the condition.

What is the Cost of an AFB Test in Delhi NCR?

The cost of this test in India ranges from 500-2400 Rs for different tests but you may choose Ganesh Diagnostic which provides this test at an affordable price with a good discount Book your online appointment now and grab the opportunity.

Why Choose Ganesh Diagnostic?

Ganesh Diagnostic is one of the most reputed and prestigious Diagnostic centres that provides a 24*7*365-day facility with 100% accurate test results we provide the best and the right treatment to patients to ensure a speedy recovery, Grab the opportunity and book an online appointment now. We also offer free blood sample collection at home for different tests.

Have sneezing and cough? Take the AFB test Today

AFB test helps determine the presence of TB in our body through the sputum analysis and helps detect the condition in the early phase helps in making an effective treatment plan to stop the spread of infection that helps easy recovery from this condition, Timely diagnosis is necessary to stop the spread of TB condition so if you are having any TB symptoms get tested for the AFB test from the top diagnostic centre and get treated well.

FAQs

What is the AFB test?

AFB test helps in detecting the presence of TB infection and checks for other lung infections to diagnose them in the early phase.

Is fasting required for the AFB test?

This test does not require any fasting You can eat as usual before and after the test.

Who should get tested for TB?

People undergoing symptoms like chronic cough, weight loss, fever, night sweats or close contact with TB patients, and weak immune systems should get tested for TB.

What is the normal range of the AFB test?

The test results are reported on a scale from 0 to 9, with values above 0 showing a positive result, meaning the person has tuberculosis. If the test result is 0, it means a negative result which indicates the absence of tuberculosis.