TUBERCULOSIS INVESTIGATIONS
- Sputum (phlegm / expectoration) smear examination : It is usually the first choice with respect to tests and is done for detecting the TB germs (AFB – Acid Fast Bacilli).
- Sputum Culture Examination : The sputum samples can be further tested for confirmation of active disease by culturing the sample on special culture media (LJ media) at specific temperatures.
- The TB germs can also be demonstrated by a special type of technique called the : `Fluorescent Microscopic Technique’.
- In case of an enlarged lymph node (neck), a needle biopsy (FNAC – Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) can be used to carry out the above procedures as well as study the characteristic histopathology.
- In cases of TB of the skin, bone, joints, brain; an appropriate tissue biopsy / body fluid can be taken to detect TB bacteria as well as study the characteristic histopathology.
- X-Rays of the chest and other sites are also an important tool for diagnosis of TB.
- Ultrasound / CT Scan / MRI Scan can be used to diagnose TB.
- Other tests for TB include:
- ELISA test
- PCR
- BACTEC
- Mantoux or the Tuberculin test