What is a common diagnostic test to confirm tuberculosis?

A common diagnostic test to confirm tuberculosis is the acid-fast bacilli smear and culture. This test is specifically designed to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.

The acid-fast bacilli smear involves staining the sputum samples to detect the presence of the bacteria. A culture can then be grown from the specimen to confirm the diagnosis, as it allows for the identification of the specific strain of the bacteria and helps determine its sensitivity to various antibiotics. This is essential for guiding effective treatment.

While a chest X-ray can show abnormalities in the lungs suggestive of tuberculosis, it cannot confirm the presence of the bacteria. Pulmonary function tests assess lung function but do not diagnose infections. Bronchoscopy may be performed in certain cases to sample tissue or secretions from the lungs, but it is not the primary method for confirming a tuberculosis diagnosis. The acid-fast bacilli smear and culture remains the definitive test for diagnosing active tuberculosis.