AFB Staining - Pleural Fluid

AFB – STAIN – PLEURAL FLUID:

Why pleural fluid test?

CLINICAL INFORMATION :

PLEURAL FLUID culture is a test that examines specimen fluid collected from pleural space (area between the lining of the lungs – ‘pleura’ and the wall of the chest). 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 multiloculated 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, ultrasounds,s, etc. 

General instructions:

Sample Requirement: Specimen - 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.