What is sputum for AFB?
A sputum stain for Mycobacteria is a laboratory test performed on a sample of your sputum, or phlegm. It’s also known as an acid-fast bacillus (AFB) stain or a tuberculosis (TB) smear. A doctor typically orders the test to determine if a person has tuberculosis (TB) or another type of mycobacterial infection.
What organisms are AFB positive?
These include:
- Bacterial endospores.
- Head of sperm.
- Cryptosporidium parvum.
- Isospora belli.
- Cyclospora cayetanensis.
- Taenia saginata eggs.
- Hydatid cysts.
- Sarcocystis.
How do you read AFB results?
A normal result for an acid-fast bacteria smear is negative, meaning no bacteria were found in the sputum sample. A positive result means that bacteria were found and that you may have an infection. The smear is treated with a special acid-fast stain that can provide a preliminary test result in 24 hours.
What if sputum AFB is negative?
A negative AFB smear may mean that no infection is present, that symptoms are caused by something other than mycobacteria, or that the mycobacteria were not present in sufficient numbers to be seen under the microscope. Usually three samples are collected to increase the probability that the organisms will be detected.
What is the standard reporting of AFB?
AFB smears are reported within 24 hours of receipt; AFB cultures are reported: (1) at 6 weeks when no growth occurs or (2) when growth occurs and identification is made.
What is AFB negative?
What are AFB positive bacteria?
If your AFB culture was positive, it means you have active TB or another type of AFB infection. The culture can identify which type of infection you have. Once you have been diagnosed, your provider may order a “susceptibility test” on your sample.
What is the color of acid-fast bacteria?
Acid Fast Strain Acid fast bacteria have a high content of mycolic acids in their cell walls. Acid fast bacteria will be red, while nonacid fast bacteria will stain blue/green with the counterstain with the Kinyoun stain.
How do you collect sputum for AFB?
Take a very deep breath and hold the air for 5 seconds. Slowly breathe out. Take another deep breath and cough hard until some sputum comes up into your mouth. Spit the sputum into the plastic cup.
What color are acid-fast positive cells?
red
Acid fast bacteria have a high content of mycolic acids in their cell walls. Acid fast bacteria will be red, while nonacid fast bacteria will stain blue/green with the counterstain with the Kinyoun stain.
Is the QC1 AFB slide compatible with Kinyoun?
QC1 AFB Slides are compatible with Kinyoun, Ziehl-Neelsen, and Fluorescent staining procedures QC1 AFB Slides contain [+] control of Mycobacterium scrofulaceum and [-] control of Escherichia coli
How are alpha TEC Qc1 AFB slides produced?
Alpha-Tec QC1 Slides are produced according to stringent quality standards for superior bacterial organism identification. Each slide is individually packaged, preserving control sample integrity until needed for validation. QC1 AFB Slides are compatible with Kinyoun, Ziehl-Neelsen, and Fluorescent staining procedures
Why do you need Qc1 AFB and Nocardia slides?
QC1™ AFB and Nocardia Quality Control Slides eliminate the need to maintain control cultures or to utilize positive samples, allowing labs to easily standardize their stain quality validation procedures. They offer consistent, reliable results – along with ease of use – for accurate stain quality validation.
How long does it take to get AFB results?
There are two main types of AFB tests: AFB smear. In this test, your sample is “smeared” on a glass slide and looked at under a microscope. It can provide results in 1–2 days. These results can show a possible or likely infection, but can’t provide a definite diagnosis.
