How to quantitatively report Acid Fast Bacilli in stained smear

If definite Acid Fast Bacilli are seen, report it as AFB positive. But, it is better to report the result quantitatively as follows:

• > 10 AFB/high power field                –>+++
• 1-10 AFB/high power field                –> ++
• 10-100 AFB/100 high power fields     –> +
• 1-9 AFB/100 high power fields           –> exact number

Important: if no Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) is seen, write the result as ‘no AFB seen’ and never write negative.

Acid Fast Bacilli