What is this test?
Laboratory tests are performed on a sample of your sputum to help diagnose if you have TB. Culture is another kind of test that may be done to detect the presence of TB bacteria.
 
Sample required
Blood.
 
Patient preparation
No specific patient preparation protocol is required.
 
Turn-around time (How long does it take?)
5 Hours.
 
Basis of the Test
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the cause of tuberculosis) can be identified using a staining technique called the Zhiel-Nielsen stain. This test makes it possible to visualize the organism in the microscope by staining it based on the properties of its cell wall.