Book a Test- AFB Culture - LJ Method

AFB (Acid-Fast Bacillus) Culture - LJ (Lowenstein-Jensen) Method is a laboratory test used to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and other mycobacterial infections. The test involves culturing a patient's specimen, such as sputum, tissue, or bodily fluid, on a specialized medium called Lowenstein-Jensen agar. The LJ medium is designed to support the growth of mycobacteria, which are slow-growing bacteria that require specific nutrients and conditions to thrive. The specimen is inoculated onto the LJ medium and incubated at a controlled temperature for 4-6 weeks. If mycobacteria are present in the specimen, they will grow on the LJ medium, forming visible colonies. The growth of these colonies confirms the presence of mycobacteria, which can then be further identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis or other species. The AFB Culture - LJ Method is a gold standard for diagnosing TB and other mycobacterial infections.