FLUOR-AFB

● Most confirmative Tuberculosis diagnosis test!

● WHO recommended technology!

● Highly sensitive due to concentration technique!

● No more focusing troubles! Comes pre-packaged with “Focus it Fast” slides!

HOW IT WORKS?

Tuberculosis is diagnosed by finding Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria in a clinical specimen taken from the patient. While other investigations may strongly suggest tuberculosis, they cannot confirm it.
Wax like coating on the membrane of tuberculosis bacilli has large amount of mycolic acid. This mycolic acid has the tendency to retain the primary stain, like auramine O even after exposure to de-colourizing acid alcohol (hence; the term “AFB” (Acid Fast Bacilli)).
Stained bacteria are then observed using fluorescent microscope to confirm the positive TB test.

TECHNOLOGY

The identification of myco-bacteria with auramine O (fluorescent dye) is due to the affinity of the mycolic acid in the cell wall for the fluoro-chrome.

Therefore; Fluor AFB is fluorescence microscopy based technique.

In fluorescence microscopy, light rays of shorter wavelength pass through a smear stained with fluorescent
dye such as Auramine O. Auromine O has a property of absorbing light rays of shorter wavelength and emitting light rays of longer wavelength. A mercury vapour lamp or a more advanced LED based light source is used as a source of light. Either with LED of predefined wavelength or by means of suitable filter, only light rays of shorter wavelength are allowed to emerge. These rays are then used for microscopy.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

● Reccomended by WHO
Fluor AFB is unique two stage kit for tuberculosis diagnosis. Many research studies have proved that, fluorescence microscopy for TB diagnosis is far more sensitive than conventional ZN method that is performed with light microscope. WHO recommendation for the procedure is certainly a seal of authentication.

● High speed screening due to lower magnification.
The most important advantage of fluorescence microscopy is that, slides can be examined at a lower magnification; thus allowing the examination of much larger area per unit of time. An area that needs examination for 10 minutes with a light microscope can be examined in only 2 minutes using fluorescence microscopy.

● Unique concentration formula increases sensitivity.
Even though, finding the tuberculin bacilli in sputum specimen is the most confirmative TB diagnosis; many a times there is a risk of missing out on detection of the bacilli, due to very low number of bacilli present in a sputum specimen.
Fluor AFB’s unique pretreatment formula helps to increase the concentration of TB bacilli in specimen by many folds thereby, immensely increasing sensitivity.

● Bright and Clear :
Mucolytic reagent provided with Fluor AFB kit frees the TB bacilli from mucus. Buffer solution provided along with the kit maintains the necessary pH balance required for optimum brightness and colour reproduction.

● Absolutely Safe to Use; No risk of contamination during centrifugation.
Fluor AFB is provided with decontaminant reagent. Active ingredient of decontaminant reagent is sodium hypochlorite, which kills the myco- bacterium, leaving behind a safe specimen for observation.

● Focus it Fast Slides:
Many research studies have proved in the past that, fluorescence microscopy for TB diagnosis is far more sensitive than conventional ZN method that is performed with light microscope. However; fluorescence microscopy could not gain popularity due to one very important limitation; in absence of any glowing bacilli, microscopic field appeared dark without giving any reference to focus the smear. This created confusion in observation. Darkness could be attributed to a negative specimen or an improperly focused smear.
“Fluor AFB comes with specially processed “Focus it Fast” slides. These slides are printed with small square grids using specially formulated ink, which glows when excited by blue UV light, thus providing the end user with a reference to focus the smear. It is now possible to focus the smear in just few seconds, making detection very easy and fast!

TRAINING

FLORON INSTALLATION

Electrical requirement  Electrical board with an input voltage of 220 volts. Please ensure proper earthing requirements.

Installation:

Place the FLORON unit on a stable, vibration free platform in a clean, dust-free environment.
Ensure proper assembly of Fluorescence lens adaptor with L.E.D. illuminator.
Fix L.E.D. illuminator with fluorescence lens adaptor to microscope nose piece as shown in the picture.
Connect I.T.E. power supply box with L.E.D. illuminator as shown in picture. Plug in power-chord and switch on the electrical connection.
Completely Installed FLORON Unit.
You can control the intensity of lamp using a potentio-meter.

FAQ’S

Can I use other body fluids other than sputum with Fluor-AFB?
Yes, other body fluids like CSF, broncho-alveolar washings can be used with Fluor-AFB.

Can I buy additional Focus it Fast slides?
Yes, please contact your authorized Florotek dealer with your additional order request.

Can I buy the components of Fluor-AFB kit individually?
Yes, please contact your authorized Florotek dealer for the same.

Once stained how long can I wait before observing the slide?
It is recommended to observe the slide immediately upon staining. However It has been observed that staining is stable for up to 12 hours.