SEARCHED TERM
Ziehl–Neelsen staining method
DEFINITION
Standard laboratory method of staining sputum smears for tuberculosis diagnosis. It involves staining a heat-fixed smear with an aqueous solution of a dye (usually basic fuchsin) containing chemicals (usually phenol) to help the dye penetrate into the cell, washing the smear with acid, alcohol or acid/alcohol and then counterstaining (usually with methylene blue).
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SOURCE DEFINITION
Standard laboratory method of staining TB smears. It involves staining a heat-fixed smear with an aqueous solution of a dye (usually basic fuchsin) containing chemicals (usually phenol) to help the dye penetrate into the cell, washing the smear with acid, alcohol or acid/alcohol and then counterstaining (usually with methylene blue).
OTHER DEFINITIONS
Acid-fast staining method using carbolfuchsin that is steam heated on the slides, decolorized, then counterstained with methylene blue. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) appear red against a blue background
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