Service Providers for Gastric Fluid for AFB
Testing gastric fluid for Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) is used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB), especially in cases of pulmonary TB when sputum samples are unavailable or inconclusive. Gastric fluid is aspirated early in the morning after fasting, using a nasogastric tube. The sample is processed with microscopy (Ziehl-Neelsen stain) or cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Preparation includes fasting overnight to ensure concentrated fluid. Risks involve mild discomfort, nasal irritation, or minor bleeding. Positive AFB results indicate TB, but culture is more sensitive and confirms the diagnosis. Negative results may occur due to low bacterial load, so repeated tests or complementary diagnostics are often needed.