AFB Smear Examination (ZN stain) is a laboratory test used to detect Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB), primarily Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis (TB). The test involves collecting a sputum or other clinical sample, smearing it on a glass slide, and staining it with Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain. This stain highlights acid-fast organisms, which appear as bright red rods against a blue background under the microscope. The test is quick, simple, and cost-effective, making it widely used in TB diagnosis, especially in resource-limited settings. While it provides rapid preliminary results, its sensitivity may be lower compared to molecular or culture methods. A positive result strongly indicates TB infection, while a negative result does not completely rule it out.

• Reports On : With 6 Hours
• Sample Type : Cough with sputum
• Fasting : Not Required