Description

A sputum stain for Mycobacteria is a laboratory test performed on a sample of your sputum, or phlegm. It’s also known as an acid-fast bacillus (AFB) stain or tuberculosis (TB) smear. A doctor typically orders the AFB SPUTAM (NORMAL) test to determine if a person has tuberculosis (TB) or another type of mycobacterial infection. If you’re already taking medication for TB or another mycobacterial infection, your doctor might order the test to find out if your medication is working. SPUTAM test is done very accurately at GoodDays Diagnostic Center at Chinsurah, Hooghly
Why the AFB SPUTAM (NORMAL) Test Is Ordered
Your doctor will order this test if they think you have a mycobacterial infection. Mycobacteria are a type of microorganism with nearly 100 known species. The most common type is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes TB.
The general symptoms of TB include:
Coughing up blood or mucus
A lack of appetite
Weight loss
Weakness
Fatigue
A fever
Chills
Night sweats
Another fairly common type of this bacteria is Mycobacterium leprae, which causes leprosy. The symptoms of leprosy include:
Skin discoloration
Skin lesions
Skin nodules
Skin plaques
Thickened skin
Nasal congestion
Nosebleeds
Except for the two microorganisms that cause TB and leprosy, most Mycobacteria exist in the water and soil everywhere in the world. These are called nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). NTM live in:
City water
Bayous
Rivers
Hot tubs
Swimming pools
Yard soil
Food
Their tough, waxy cell wall makes them resistant to antibacterial agents. Although NTM are everywhere, most people aren’t affected. People with immunity problems, such as AIDS, are vulnerable to infection. Some people can have an infection with no symptoms at all. Other people have infections that cause lung symptoms similar to TB. Medicines can treat these infections, but it often takes more than one medicine to cure them.