252: Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB): An Introduction
Show notes
It's time to revisit acid-fast bacilli (AFB)!
What is acid-fastness? What stains are used to detect AFB, and how are AFB cultures processed?
In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis revisits a conversation with Dr. Filipe Muniz (Cerqueira) about the fundamentals of AFB. They discuss acid-fast staining, specimen processing, culture media, and the Runyon groups. Dr. Muniz also discusses nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), including examples of clinically relevant organisms and their characteristics.
Whether you're new to clinical microbiology or looking for a refresher, tune in to this episode from the archives!
Note: This episode was originally released on January 30TH 2025. At the time of recording, Dr. Muniz was serving as a clinical microbiology laboratory director at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He is no longer in that role and is currently a medical student at UAB.
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