AFB - Pleural Fluid
AFB – Acid- Fast- Bacillus is a kind of Bacteria that is the reason for Tuberculosis (TB) and other infections. TB causes Health issues to lungs, Brain, Spine, and Kidneys. As per the Doctor’s recommendations, samples were taken from various places such as Blood, Urine, Phlegm for this test for diagnosing Tuberculosis and infections like Leprosy. AFB in Pleural Fluid is used to diagnose Tuberculous Pleural Effusion.
ACID FAST BACILLUS (AFB) – PLEURAL FLUID:
Why AFB Pleural fluid test?
CLINICAL INFORMATION:
Pleural fluid analysis is usually aspirated to find the cause of pleural effusion, to differentiate either of transudate or exudate origin, which causes extra fluid leak into the pleural space. The pleural effusion specimen (exudative) is obtained by thoracentesis (needle inserted between the ribs to aspirate pleural fluid biopsy), and is taken for further tests such as cell counts and differential, glucose, adenosine deaminase (ADA) test, and cytogenic analysis for confirmation.
Pleural effusion may be a symptom of Tuberculous origin and hence positive screening tests from the results from Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the pleura can be characterized by intense chronic accumulation of fluid and inflammatory cells in the pleural cavity. If the case is left untreated, a multi-loculated effusion may develop or the underlying collapsed lung will become encased by tumor and fibrous tissue, and drain by thoracentesis to drain effusion becomes difficult.
Pleural fluid for M.tuberculosis (AFB) in the suspected specimen (pleural fluid) is smeared on a glass slide and stained to look under the microscope for detecting the microbe by screening methods followed by confirmatory procedures.
Symptoms include shortness of breath and coughing due to excess fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity.
Other tests include chest X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasound, etc.
General instructions:
Sample Requirement: Specimen is pleural fluid. Test Preparation: None.
NOTE - Sample for specimen collections may vary based on the patient’s condition/cases according to the patient’s presentingcomplaints / signs or symptoms:
SPECIMENREQUIREMENT (Special or Rare Cases) - As instructed and guided by Physician / Clinician / Pathologist / as per Laboratory’s requirements, according to procedures and protocols.
This Multi-Specialty Clinical Referral Laboratory “RTDIAGNOSTICS” provides precise and accurate tests with an extensive range of testing services to the medical centers to help in the diagnosis and identification of pathology in the test specimens for infectious diseases and also to evaluate the function of organ systems of the patient. It prevents further complications and helps to stabilize and restore health to near normalcy at the earliest without delay.
