Prevalence of acid fast bacilli in Ajmer: A retrospective analysis of eight years data.

ABSTRACT

To assess prevalence of acid fast bacilli (AFB) in Ajmer, a retrospective analysis of 8 years was done in 1905 AFB cultures in various clinical specimens. All specimens were cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen slants after decontamination and concentration using modified Petroff's method. Smears were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen technique with acid and alcohol to exclude rapid growers. Four hundred and twenty eight AFB positive cultures were reported using morphological, staining and microscopic characteristics. Over all, AFB positive culture rate was 22.46%. Maximum positive cultures were from urinary system (253) followed by respiratory system (151), female genital systems (9), reticuloendothelial system (6), CNS (6), GIT (2), and CVS (1).