Acid-fast stain
Acid-fast stain
Acid-fast stain (pronunciation: /ˈæsɪdˌfɑːst steɪn/) is a laboratory staining procedure used primarily to identify Mycobacterium species, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium leprae, which causes leprosy.
Etymology
The term "acid-fast" is derived from the resistance of the stain to acid-alcohol decolorization. The term "stain" refers to the process of adding color to microscopic organisms for identification purposes.
Procedure
The acid-fast staining procedure involves the application of a primary stain (carbol fuchsin), decolorization with acid-alcohol, and counterstaining with methylene blue. The acid-fast organisms retain the primary stain and appear red, while non-acid-fast organisms take up the counterstain and appear blue.
Significance
Acid-fast staining is a critical tool in the diagnosis and control of mycobacterial infections. It allows for the rapid identification of acid-fast bacilli in clinical specimens, aiding in the timely initiation of appropriate treatment.
Related Terms
- Mycobacterium: A genus of bacteria, some species of which are acid-fast.
- Tuberculosis: An infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, identified using acid-fast staining.
- Leprosy: A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, also identified using acid-fast staining.
- Carbol fuchsin: The primary stain used in acid-fast staining.
- Methylene blue: The counterstain used in acid-fast staining.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acid-fast stain
- Wikipedia's article - Acid-fast stain
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