AFB Smear – Sputum

The Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) Smear test is a laboratory procedure designed to identify acid-fast bacteria, which include the causative agent of tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as other pathogenic mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). The test is commonly performed on sputum samples collected from patients suspected of having tuberculosis or other mycobacterial infections.