AFB Stain (Sputum) report format
An AFB (acid-fast bacilli) sputum smear report format for tuberculosis screening.
Report layout used at Sobhana Diagnostics, signed by Dr. V. Aruna Sree, MBBS, DCP · Consultant Pathologist
Sample format. "Your Lab Name" is a placeholder. On HealthFlow every report carries your lab's own logo, letterhead and colours, and the QR opens the authentic signed copy through a logged verification gateway.
What this AFB Stain (Sputum) format includes
Every line carries the result, its unit and the reference range, with out-of-range values flagged. The values below are sample values, shown so you can see the layout.
| Test | Result | Reference range |
|---|---|---|
| Specimen | Sputum | |
| Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) | Not Detected | Not Detected |
| Grading | Nil | Nil |
How a AFB Stain (Sputum) report is read
- A single negative smear does not exclude tuberculosis; two to three samples on consecutive days improve detection.
- Smear microscopy detects acid-fast bacilli but does not confirm the species; correlate with culture or a molecular test (CBNAAT).
- When positive, grading (1+ to 3+) reflects the bacillary load.
What commonly goes wrong with a AFB Stain (Sputum)
The practical errors that actually cause repeat samples and misread results, mostly at collection and at the point the result is read.
- Saliva is not sputum. A thin, watery, clear specimen collected without a deep cough is the commonest cause of a false negative, and the correct action is to reject it and recollect rather than stain it.
- Smear microscopy only detects bacilli when they are present in large numbers, so a negative AFB smear never rules out tuberculosis. Report it as "no acid-fast bacilli seen", not as "TB negative".
- Acid-fast does not mean Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria stain identically, so the smear tells you acid-fast bacilli are present and nothing about the species.
- A positive smear must be reported using the standard grading scale rather than a bare "positive", because the grade is what tracks bacillary load and later treatment response. Stain deposits and scratches on an over-thick smear are a frequent source of falsely graded positives.
Want this AFB Stain (Sputum) format for your own lab?
What does a AFB Stain (Sputum) report format include?
An AFB (acid-fast bacilli) sputum smear report format for tuberculosis screening. Each line shows the result and the reference range, with out-of-range values flagged, followed by clinical notes on how the test is interpreted.
Can this AFB Stain (Sputum) format carry my lab's brand?
Yes. On HealthFlow the report is white-label: your lab's logo, letterhead, address and colours replace the "Your Lab Name" placeholder, and it can be printed or delivered on WhatsApp from your own number.