When I first heard of the Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) Smear and Culture Test, it was after someone I knew from a distance came down with it.
What gave me the chills to find out what this test was about was that I heard he had TB, and it was not a pretty sight.
The constant coughs and presence of blood while he coughed out were something that surprised me.
There is a saying that I have heard my grandma say over and over again, and it goes thus: What you don’t know won’t kill you.
While this may be true in a few cases, in 95% of the cases, what you don’t know will kill you, so you must get the right health information so you can stay ahead when it comes to your health.
You know how, since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, people are now conscious of a person coughing.
If you cough, the kind of eyes they would use to steer at you would regret why you had a cough in the first place.
Well, not for me.
I have always been conscious of this because of my background as a microbiologist.
I know that some coughs are highly contagious, and also, as an HIV counselor and tester, one of the things I was trained on is to protect myself from people who cough because you might not know if they have tuberculosis.
Having tuberculosis is not a journey anyone wants to embark on, but what happens if someone you know has it or if you, as an individual, come down with it?
This article sets out to help the reader search for answers about tuberculosis and the Gene Acid Fast Bacilli Test, which is used to diagnose tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can also be known as acid-fast bacilli.
It is highly contagious; it affects the lungs and can spread to the brain and spine if not well treated.
Types of Tuberculosis
There are two types of Tuberculosis: Latent Tuberculosis and Active Tuberculosis
- Latent Tuberculosis: An individual is said to have latent tuberculosis when the bacteria is present in the person’s body but he or she is not feeling sick or showing any signs or symptoms. However, an individual can transition from having latent tuberculosis to active tuberculosis, especially in cases of compromised immune systems.
- Active Tuberculosis: This is characterized by the presence of the bacterium in an individual’s body, which has caused the individual to become sick, and they are exhibiting the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Tuberculosis
Certain signs and symptoms are indeed similar to those of other illnesses, so the big question is: what are the signs and symptoms that I may see when it comes to tuberculosis?
- Chest pains
- A cough that persists for as long as 3 weeks
- Coughing out blood
- Night sweats
- Chills
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness
Making a diagnosis of tuberculosis
We mentioned above that certain signs and symptoms are the same across most illnesses or diseases, which is why giving yourself a diagnosis based on assumptions or symptoms is a very dangerous approach, so you must always visit a doctor to get the right diagnosis.
Your health being well diagnosed is the beginning of improving your health status, and early detection is always key, so never be afraid of going to the hospital to get a proper diagnosis, as this improves the chances of your health improving rather than deteriorating.
There are several tests used to determine the presence of mycobacterium tuberculosis in an individual but for the sake of this article, we would be discussing the Acid Fast Bacilli Test (AFB)
Acid Fast Bacilli Test (AFB)
The Acid Fast Bacillus Test is used to detect or diagnose tuberculosis or infections caused by Mycobacterium, which is also known as Acid Fast Bacilli.
The AFB test is usually done for those who are showing signs and symptoms of active TB.
This test is usually done to detect the presence of acid-fast Bacillus bacteria in the sputum of an individual who has coughed out from the lungs.
It is worth noting that the AFB test can also be used to diagnose other types of AFB bacteria, like Mycobacterium leprae, which causes leprosy.
There are two types of the Acid Fast Bacilli Test, namely,
1. AFB smear
In this test, the sample is smeared on a glass slide and viewed under the microscope.
A result can be ascertained after 1 or 2 days, and the results can show a likely infection; however, they do not show a definite diagnosis.
2. AFB Culture
The patient’s sample is taken and cultured in a lab, where the environment has been specially created to support the growth of bacteria.
The AFB culture tends to provide an accurate result; however, it takes a long time—about 6–8 weeks—for the bacteria to grow before you can get a result.
How is the test done?
- The AFB culture and AFB Smear Test are done simultaneously, you will be required to spit into a sterile container 3 days in a row, this is just to ensure that the sample has enough bacteria to be tested.
- If the patient is not still able to cough up enough sputum, he or she will be required to breathe in a sterile saline mist which would help assist in coughing up sputum,
- But if the patient is still not able to cough up sputum, then a bronchoscopy is carried out. A bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin lighted tube is passed through the mouth or nose to get access into the airway, the sputum is suctioned or taken with a brush. A medication is given so that you are relaxed and don’t feel a thing.
What to expect after the procedure
There is no risk involved when you have to cough into a sterile container, however, after a bronchoscopy, you may feel soreness in your throat or even have an infection or bleeding on the site the sample was taken from.
Too many times people have died of illnesses that could have been prevented or cured because if we have the right information as to how best to prevent illnesses, then we would take responsibility for our health.
Tuberculosis is not a death sentence, it can be cured. Early detection is key!
