Unit Code 8213:
Acid-Fast Smear for Mycobacterium
Useful For
Detection of acid-fast bacilli in clinical specimens
Clinical Information
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a leading infectious disease cause
of death worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
has reported a rise in the incidence of tuberculosis associated with
acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS), foreign-born cases,
and increased transmission in high-risk populations. There has also
been a rise in the number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains that
exhibit resistance to 1 or more antituberculosis drugs. The public
health implications of these facts are considerable.
Because Mycobacterium tuberculosis is readily spread by airborne
particles, rapid diagnosis and isolation of infected persons is important.
Detection of acid-fast bacilli in sputum specimens allows rapid
identification of individuals who are likely to be infected while definitive
diagnosis and treament are pursued.
Reference Values
Negative (reported as positive or negative)
Interpretation
Patients whose sputum specimens are identified as acid-fast positive
should be considered potentially infected with Mycobacterium
tuberculosis, pending definitive diagnosis by molecular methods
and/or mycobacterial culture.
Cautions
#81383 "Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Amplified Direct Test" is the
preferred test for rapid, direct detection of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis from clinical specimens.
Artifacts may exhibit non specific fluorescence and be confused
with organisms.
Clinical Reference
Pfyffer GE, Brown-Elliot BA, Wallace RJ: General characteristics,
isolation, and staining procedures. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology.
8th edition. Washington, DC, ASM Press, 2003, pp 532-559
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