Tb Culture Ascitic Fluid

This test is used to find out whether the individual is infected with tuberculosis TB or not by analyzing a sample of ascitic fluid from an individual. The fluid present within the abdomen is called as ascitic fluid. The test is useful in identifying whether the tubercular infection has reached other parts/internal organs of the body apart from the lungs.

What is a bacterial culture?

In laboratories, the bacteria are often grown with the help of growth media (nutrient preparation which acts as a source of food for the bacteria). The grown bacteria is observed under a microscope to identify the type of bacteria. The process is called as bacterial culturing. The bacterial culturing is often used in the field of medicine to identify the species of bacteria causing the infection and to know what kind of medicines are effective in killing the bacteria and planning the treatment accordingly.

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis TB is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis MTB. Generally, TB affects the lungs and sometimes it can also affect other organs and parts of the body. MTB is airborne and can spread through the air from one person to another. Individuals who are suffering from TB may experience symptoms such as cough which lasts more than 2-3 weeks, cough with blood, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, fever, night sweats, etc.

What is Ascitic Fluid?

The protein-containing fluid present within the lining of the internal organs and abdomen is called as ascitic fluid. The condition in which excess of ascitic fluid is accumulated within the abdominal cavity is called ascites. This condition may be usually caused in diseases or conditions like liver cirrhosis, bacterial or fungal infections of the abdomen (peritonitis), advanced stages of cancer, liver or kidney failure, intestinal obstruction or ischemia, etc.

Why is this test recommended?

This test is performed to check the presence of tuberculosis bacteria in body fluids of an individual. The doctor may ask you to undergo this test if you are suffering from symptoms such as joint pains, long-lasting cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, fever, abdominal distension, etc.

If you are on treatment for tuberculosis, then the doctor may ask you to perform this test to evaluate and to check the effectiveness of the treatment and to check whether the bacterium has infected other internal organs or has developed resistance to TB drugs such as rifampicin. Mostly, this test is done along with other tests to confirm the diagnosis or to modify the treatments if necessary.

Precautions:

Some medications may change the test results and hence you are advised to inform all your current medications to the doctor prior to the test.

The test results may be different depending on gender, age, health conditions, and other factors.

If the test results are negative it may indicate that there is no Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterial infection and not suffering from tuberculosis.

In case the test results are positive it may indicate that there is Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and an individual is suffering from tuberculosis. Presence of tubercular bacteria apart from lung tissue confirms that the bacteria has infected other tissues as well and the individual requires necessary treatments.