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Acid-Fast Staining Revisited, a Dated but Versatile Means of Diagnosis
Flora Ramona Sigit Prakoeswa1 , *
Bayu Bijaksana Rumondor2
Cita Rosita Sigit Prakoeswa3
Authors Info & Affiliations
Bayu Bijaksana Rumondor2
Cita Rosita Sigit Prakoeswa3
Authors Info & Affiliations
Abstract
Acid-fast staining has been utilized in the field of medicine since the late 1800s. It was, for a while, considered the gold standard for diagnosing leprosy and tuberculosis. Principally it uses 1 primary staining agent, carbol fuchsin; and methylene blue as a counter stain. The emergence of molecular-based diagnostic tests makes some of us question the relevance of acid-fast staining in daily practice. This literature review aimed to revisit the acid-fast staining method, its uses, and the modification that occurred throughout the years.
Keywords: Acid-fast staining, Ziehl-Neelsen, Kinyoun, Truant, Staining protocol, Bacteriological examination.
