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Acid Fast stain

Lab Test
Test Acid Fast stain
Indication The staining is used to detect the presence of mycobacteria, monitor therapy against mycobacterium, efective diagnosis of mycobacterial infection.
Physiology Acid fast bacteria are surrounded by a waxy envelope that is resistant to destaining by acid alcohol. Heat, prolonged exposure peneterates the cell wall. The stained bacteria is resistant to decolorization with acid alcohol.
Normal Range No acid fast bacteria. Positive smears are quantitated and reported as 1+ (3-9 bacteria in entire smear), 2+ (>10 in entire smear), or 3+ (1 or more bacilli per field) acid fast bacteria seen.
Sample Fluid, pus, or abscess material
Test Method Acid fast stain - Ziehl-Neelsen or fluorochrome stain
Related Tests Mycobacteria by DNA probe, Skin Test, Tuberculosis.
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Member Comments ( 1 )
why do u heat at intervals during acid fast stain.
(Posted by choky282, Nigeria Date : 7/7/2010 )