Purpose of Acid Fast Bacilli [AFB] Microscopy under NTEP

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is a unique acid-fast gram-positive bacterium.

It is unique because of the high lipid and mycolic acid content of its cell wall. It neither contains the phospholipid outer membrane, nor retains the dye. 

Acid-fast Bacilli (AFB) Microscopy identifies tubercule bacilli and hence is used under National TB Elimination Program (NTEP) for:

1. Identification of people with active tuberculosis (diagnosis of TB)
2. Monitoring anti-TB treatment response (follow-up)
3. Testing at the end of the treatment to ensure that the TB patient is cured of the disease (decide outcome).

Since introduction of long-term follow up of TB patients at 6,12,18 and 24 months, verbal screening followed by AFB staining can help in early detection of recurrence of TB.

Resources

• RNTCP Technical and Operational Guidelines for TB Control in India, 2016.
• Training Module (1-4) for Program Managers and Medical Officer, NTEP, MoHFW, 2020.

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