Question:
List five organisms that are subjected to acid-fast staining
Answer:
Here are five organisms that are commonly subjected to acid-fast staining:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis – This bacterium is responsible for causing tuberculosis in humans and is the most commonly tested organism using acid-fast staining.
- Mycobacterium leprae – This bacterium causes leprosy, a chronic infectious disease that affects the skin and peripheral nerves.
- Nocardia species – These bacteria are commonly found in soil and water, and can cause infections in humans, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- Cryptosporidium species – These are protozoan parasites that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
- Isospora belli – This is another protozoan parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Acid-fast staining is a useful diagnostic tool for identifying these organisms in clinical specimens such as sputum, stool, and tissue samples.