AFB Culture Test – Price, Purpose, Results & more!

An AFB (Acid fast bacilli) culture test is used to diagnose the presence of infections caused by bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium. The most common infection caused by it is tuberculosis, more commonly known as TB. Other infections that are caused by mycobacterium and can be confirmed by AFB culture are leprosy, cervical lymphadenitis, etc. The AFB Test Price usually ranges between Rs 800 and Rs 1600.

What is TB?

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that often affects the lungs (Pulmonary TB) but can also be extrapulmonary i.e affect other body parts like the spine, stomach, skin, meninges, etc. TB can spread from one person to another through respiratory droplets. It can be treated with a regular prolonged course of antibiotics.

Signs and symptoms of Tuberculosis may be-

• Cough that lasts for more than three weeks
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm from the lungs)
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Night sweats
• Fever
• Chills

What are acid-fast bacilli?

AFB (acid-fast bacilli) are a group of bacteria that have a unique cell wall structure that makes them resistant to certain types of chemical treatment and staining. The AFB culture test involves growing the bacteria in laboratory culture and then staining the culture with special dyes to make the bacteria more visible.

AFB Culture Test Details in Brief

Also Known As	TB culture, Mycobacteria culture, Acid fast bacilli culture test
Purpose	To confirm the diagnosis of infections like tuberculosis, leprosy, etc caused by certain types of bacteria called mycobacterium.
Preparation	No fasting is needed EXCEPT when the sample taken is gastric lavage.
Fasting	No
Reporting Time	Interim: 14 days & 4 weeks Final: 6 weeks Positive results
Cost	Rs. 800 to Rs. 1600

AFB Test Price

The AFB Test Price usually ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 1600. The actual price depends on the diagnostic center and the city. Bookmerilab partners with more than 200 diagnostic centers across India. We provide a 10-50% discount on medical diagnostic tests.

AFB Test Price at Popular Diagnostic Centres

The table below lists the ANA prices at a few popular diagnostic centers in India.

Name of Lab	Test Price
Redcliffe Lab	Rs 1000
Metropolis Healthcare	Rs 1050
SRL Diagnostics	Rs 950
Dr Lal Path labs	Rs 1600
Vijaya Diagnostics	Rs 1700

AFB Culture Test Cost in different cities

The table below lists the prices in different cities. You can click on the name of the city to get the list of diagnostic centres with their price and discount.

City	Test Price
AFB Test Price in Delhi	Rs 450 to Rs 1300
AFB Test Price in Mumbai	Rs 800 to Rs 1200
AFB Test Price in Bangalore	Rs 800 to Rs 2000
AFB Test Price in Hyderabad	Rs 550 to Rs 1200
AFB Test Price in Gurgaon	Rs 800 to Rs 1200
AFB Test Price in Chennai	Rs 800 to Rs 2000
AFB Test Price in Kolkata	Rs 350 to Rs 1000

AFB Culture Test Purpose

An AFB (acid-fast bacilli) culture test can be used to-

1. Identify the presence and types of bacteria in a sample (primarily Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB).
2. Diagnose TB in individuals who may have been exposed to the bacteria or who have symptoms of TB
3. Determine bacterial sensitivity to various antimicrobial agents
4. Monitor the effectiveness of TB treatment and
5. Determine if a person has developed drug-resistant TB
6. To identify the cause of infections or contamination in food, water, or other environmental samples
7. Support research and development of new drugs or treatments.
8. Track the spread of TB within a community.

The AFB culture test is a key part of the diagnostic process for TB and is essential for ensuring that individuals receive appropriate treatment.

Preparation

1. Your doctor will provide you with instructions on how to prepare for the test. Make sure you understand the instructions clearly.
2. Let your doctor know if you have any allergies or if you are taking any medication.
3. Smoking or chewing gum can affect the results of the test, so avoid doing either before the test.
4. Be sure to arrive on time for your appointment.

Procedure

When the sample collected is sputum-

1. You will have to cough deeply and spit into a sterile container.
2. Repeat this for a minimum of two or three days to ensure that there are enough bacteria in your sample for testing.
3. Your healthcare professional could instruct you to inhale a sterile saline (salt) solution to encourage deeper coughing if you are having difficulties producing enough sputum.
4. Your doctor might carry out a technique known as a bronchoscopy if you are still unable to cough up enough sputum.
5. Before bronchoscopy, administration of numbing medication can help minimize discomfort.
6. Then there is the insertion of a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope) into your airways through your mouth or nose. The professional then collects the sample with a tiny brush or by suction.

The procedure may sometimes involve the collection of other samples like gastric lavage, biopsy tissues, blood, etc. depending on the specific case.

Risk

1. Discomfort: The sample collection process may be uncomfortable for the patient, as it involves coughing up sputum.
2. Infection: In rare cases, the procedure may cause an infection. This is more likely if the procedure uses a bronchoscope.
3. Allergic reaction: In rare cases, a patient may have an allergic reaction to the dye used in the test. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rash, itching, and difficulty breathing.

Result

1. Negative: If no bacteria are seen under the microscope, the result is negative. This means that there is no evidence of tuberculosis.
2. Positive: If bacteria are seen under the microscope, the result is positive. This means that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is present in the sample.
3. Indeterminate: If the sample is contaminated or the bacteria are present in small numbers, the result may be indeterminate. This means that the test cannot confirm or rule out the presence of tuberculosis.

AFB Culture Sample Report

Limitations

1. Sensitivity: The AFB test is not 100% sensitive, meaning it may miss cases of tuberculosis. In some cases, the number of bacteria in the sample may be too small to detect.
2. Specificity: The AFB test is not 100% specific, meaning it may produce false-positive results. This can occur if other types of bacteria are present in the sample that are also acid-fast.
3. Sample collection: The accuracy of the AFB test depends on the quality of the sample collected. If the sample is contaminated or inadequate, the test may produce inaccurate results.
4. Time-consuming: The AFB test can take several days to produce results, which can delay the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.
5. Inability to distinguish active from latent tuberculosis: The AFB test can only detect the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but it cannot distinguish between active and latent tuberculosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the AFB test is an important diagnostic tool for the detection of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections. The test is relatively simple and inexpensive and can provide accurate results in a timely manner. However, like any diagnostic test, it has its limitations and should be used in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are critical for the successful management of tuberculosis, and the AFB test can play a crucial role in achieving this goal.

FAQs

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