by Question:
Outline the steps involved in Ziehl-Neelson staining
Answer:
Ziehl-Neelsen staining, also known as the acid-fast staining technique, is a laboratory staining method used to detect acid-fast organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis. The following are the steps involved in Ziehl-Neelsen staining:
- Preparation of the bacterial smear: A bacterial smear is prepared by transferring a small amount of the sample containing the bacteria onto a clean slide.
- Fixation of the smear: The smear is heat-fixed by passing the slide through a flame several times to kill the bacteria and attach them to the slide.
- Application of the primary stain: The primary stain, which is usually carbol fuchsin, is applied to the smear and allowed to penetrate for 5-10 minutes.
- Decolorization: The slide is then washed with acid-alcohol to remove excess stain from the slide. This step is crucial as it helps differentiate acid-fast bacteria from non-acid-fast bacteria. Acid-fast bacteria retain the primary stain while non-acid-fast bacteria lose the stain.
- Counterstaining: The smear is then counterstained with a contrasting color such as methylene blue or brilliant green. This step helps to visualize non-acid-fast bacteria that have been decolorized during the previous step.
- Washing and drying: The slide is washed with water to remove any excess stain and then dried.
- Microscopic examination: The slide is examined under a microscope, and the acid-fast bacteria will appear bright red or pink while non-acid-fast bacteria will appear blue or green.
Overall, the Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique is a valuable tool for identifying acid-fast bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical and research settings.
