Acid-fast bacilli (AFB)

Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) are a type of bacteria, including the one that causes tuberculosis. They have a unique cell wall that makes them resistant to certain dyes used in laboratory tests. When doctors suspect an infection like TB, they use a special staining technique called the acid-fast stain to identify these bacteria under a microscope. Detecting AFB helps diagnose specific bacterial infections, guiding appropriate treatment. Their resilience and distinctive staining properties are key to their identification in clinical settings.