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Microbiology Fever & Infection Home collection available

Culture - Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB Bactac Culture)

Parameters1 tested
SampleBlood
FastingNot required
Report in3-5 days

How to prepare

No fasting needed

You can eat and drink normally before the test.

Good to know

No special preparation needed.

Medicines

Tell our phlebotomist about any medicines you take. Don't stop them without asking your doctor.

Comfortable clothes

Wear a loose sleeve so the sample can be taken easily from your arm.

How it works

Book onlinePick a time slot
Home visitSealed, sterile kit
Lab testingBarcode tracked
ReportIn 3-5 days

About this test

AFB culture grows TB germs from a sample in a special liquid medium (BACTEC). It is the most sensitive way to detect TB and allows drug-sensitivity testing.

Why is this test done?

  • Confirm TB when smear or PCR is negative
  • Grow TB germs for drug-sensitivity testing
  • Monitor treatment in drug-resistant TB

Symptoms — when should you get tested?

  • Long cough or fever
  • Weight loss and night sweats
  • Discharging glands
  • Fluid around the lungs

Normal range

AFB culture No growth

Reference ranges differ slightly between labs, methods, age and sex. Always discuss your report with your doctor.

If your result is high

Growth of mycobacteria confirms TB or a related infection.

Common reasons
  • Tuberculosis
  • Non-tuberculous mycobacteria

How is the test done?

  1. 1
    Book online

    Choose your slot for home collection or a visit to our centre.

  2. 2
    Blood sample taken

    A trained phlebotomist takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm with a sealed, single-use needle. It takes about 2 minutes.

  3. 3
    Tested in our lab

    Your barcoded sample is tested on automated machines with strict quality checks.

  4. 4
    Report on WhatsApp

    A pathologist checks the result and the report reaches you on WhatsApp and email.

Frequently asked questions

TB germs grow slowly; final negative results can take up to 6 weeks.

No fasting is needed for this test. You can eat and drink normally.

Your report is usually ready in 3-5 days after the sample reaches our lab. We send it on WhatsApp and email, and you can also download it from the Reports page.

Please call our team to confirm whether home sample collection is available for your location and test.

This test needs a blood sample. No special preparation needed.

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