Sputum exam for mycobacterium

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Encyclopedia -> Test -> S -> Sputum exam for mycobacterium

Alternate Names: Acid fast organisms

How Performed: Obtain a coughed sputum sample. You are asked to cough deeply and expel any material that comes from the lungs (sputum) into a container.

The cells of the specimen are stained with a dye, carbo fuchsin, and heat and acid are applied to the specimen as well. The prepared specimen is then examined under the microscope. If the stain shows mycobacteria, the specimen may be placed in culture media.

How To Prepare: Collect a sample of sputum coughed from the lungs in a container.

How It Feels: There is no discomfort.

Risks: There are no risks.

Why Performed: The test is performed when tuberculosis or other Mycobacterium infection is suspected.

Normal Values: No presence of organisms is normal.

Abnormal Results: Abnormal results show the culture is positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium-intracellular, or atypical Mycobacterium.

Cost:

Special Considerations: Not applicable.

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