Acid fast

Acid-fast refers to a property of certain bacteria, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that resist decolorization by acids during staining procedures. The acid-fast property is utilized in laboratory identification of these bacteria using the Ziehl-Neelsen stain or the Kinyoun stain.

History

The acid-fast property was first discovered by Paul Ehrlich in the late 19th century. The discovery was significant in the field of microbiology and infectious diseases, as it allowed for the identification and study of pathogenic bacteria that were previously difficult to detect.

Acid-fast Staining

Acid-fast staining is a laboratory procedure used to identify acid-fast bacteria. The most common methods are the Ziehl-Neelsen and Kinyoun stains. These methods involve the application of a primary stain (carbol fuchsin), decolorization with an acid-alcohol solution, and a counterstain (methylene blue). Acid-fast bacteria retain the primary stain and appear red, while non-acid-fast bacteria take up the counterstain and appear blue.

Acid-fast Bacteria

The most well-known acid-fast bacteria are members of the genus Mycobacterium, which includes the pathogenic species M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. These bacteria have a unique cell wall structure rich in mycolic acids, which is responsible for their acid-fast property. This cell wall structure also contributes to their resistance to many common antibiotics and disinfectants.

Clinical Significance

The identification of acid-fast bacteria is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy. Acid-fast staining is a standard procedure in clinical microbiology laboratories for the detection of these bacteria in clinical specimens.

See Also

• Mycobacterium
• Ziehl-Neelsen stain
• Kinyoun stain
• Tuberculosis
• Leprosy

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