Auramine-rhodamine stain

Auramine-Rhodamine Stain is a fluorescent stain used primarily in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The stain uses the fluorochrome auramine to stain mycobacteria.

History[edit | edit source]

The Auramine-Rhodamine Stain was first introduced in the 1930s as a more sensitive alternative to the traditional Ziehl-Neelsen stain. It has since become a standard method in many laboratories due to its high sensitivity and specificity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Procedure[edit | edit source]

The staining procedure involves the application of the auramine-rhodamine stain, which binds to the mycolic acids present in the cell wall of mycobacteria. The stained sample is then viewed under a fluorescence microscope, where the mycobacteria appear bright yellow against a dark background.

Advantages[edit | edit source]

The main advantage of the Auramine-Rhodamine Stain is its high sensitivity, which allows for the detection of mycobacteria in samples with low bacterial load. It is also faster and easier to read than traditional Ziehl-Neelsen stained slides.

Limitations[edit | edit source]

Despite its advantages, the Auramine-Rhodamine Stain also has some limitations. It is less specific than the Ziehl-Neelsen stain, and may give false positive results in the presence of certain other bacteria or substances. It also requires a fluorescence microscope, which may not be available in all laboratories.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Auramine-rhodamine stain Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? Need help finding a doctor or specialist anywhere in the world? Explore our world directory. WikiMD's DocFinder can assist you in locating millions of physicians.	Medical Knowledge Access the latest research - Most recent articles Ongoing trials.