Mycobacterial AFB Detection And Drug Resistance - 1st Line - Hains

Specific strains of bacteria can lead to the occurrence of fatal diseases. The acid-fast bacilli (AFB) is one such type that causes conditions like tuberculosis (TB). This type of mycobacterial infection can affect your lungs, brain, kidneys, and spine.

Such a disease can spread from one person to another. However, the transmission of TB depends on its type. Based on the infection, you might have latent or active TB. The symptoms and transmission of infection happen only in the cases involving active TB. The AFB test can be help detect the type of mycobacterial infection and play a key role in determining the course of treatment.

Your doctor can suggest an AFB testing if you notice common symptoms of TB or other nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections.  Occurence of the following signs and symptoms may necessitate undergoing AFB test procedure:

• Chronic cough
• Chills
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Chest pain
• Loss of appetite
• Inexplicable weight loss
• Night sweats

After proper diagnosis, your doctor will require accurate reports that infer the presence of acid-fast bacilli bacteria.  There are two types of AFB testing procedures:

• AFB Culture
• AFB Smear

The AFB Culture test provides a more accurate diagnosis of mycobacterial infection. However, this type of AFB testing requires more time as the sputum samples are placed in a controlled lab environment.

The AFB smear test involves medical observation under a microscope. In this evaluation, you can expect a quicker analysis of the possibility of an active infection. A positive AFB test generally implies the existence of an infection.If your results lie in the AFB test normal range, there is no infection in the system.

You must provide a blood or sputum sample for the AFB test procedure. The test can also help determine the effectiveness of ongoing tuberculosis treatment. Certain risk factors can make you more susceptible to mycobacterial infection, such as:

• If you suffer from diseases like HIV that weaken the immune system
• If there was a recent close contact with a person suffering from TB or NTM
• If you reside at a location that is highly prone to tuberculosis infections

At Apollo 24|7, you can receive the Mycobacterial AFB Detection and Drug Resistance- 1st Line – Hains test package. The health provider can also suggest a susceptibility test for providing insights on the most effective treatment. 
 

Frequently asked questions

What does a positive AFB test mean?

A positive AFB testing result implies that you have active tuberculosis or acid-fast bacilli infection. The AFB culture determines the kind of infection present in your body. Your doctor can recommend appropriate antibacterial medication and treatment depending on these results. The duration of test results depends on whether you opt for a smear or culture evaluation.

Can chest X-rays detect the presence of tuberculosis infection?

Tuberculosis infection can impact your lungs. Chest X-rays can indicate the presence of infection in the lungs. However, you need to choose the AFB test for a perfect diagnosis. The combination of both evaluations can determine the presence and severity of a TB infection.

What are some popular tests to detect TB bacteria?

Generally, the AFB test, Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA), and Mantoux are some of the most common TB tests. Depending on the nature of the infection, providers can suggest these tests to different individuals. The sample required for each test varies. The healthcare providers might need sputum, blood, urine, or other body fluids for different tests.

What are the different stages of tuberculosis infection?

TB occurs in three stages— exposure, latent, and active. In the first stage, you become susceptible to the infection. Next, the bacteria grow in the latent stage and can become active in the final junction. During the active phase, you will notice the symptoms and can spread the disease to other people.

Is TB curable?

You can cure tuberculosis at any stage by undergoing comprehensive medical treatment. Your doctor can suggest suitable antibiotics depending on the severity of the infection. To get timely treatment, you should undergo AFB test at a trusted lab.

How long does the treatment for tuberculosis last?

Generally, you may be asked to complete a TB treatment course that spans approximately six months. Depending on the infection, the treatment duration may extend up to nine months.