Microbiology Tech Info

Purpose:      To demonstrate acid-fastbacilli in the given specimen. Principle:   Mycobacterium possesses cell walls that contain Mycolic acid (long-chain fatty acids).  The presence of Mycolic acid and lipids in the Mycobacterial cell wall accounts for the property of resisting decolorization with strong acids. Once stained with primary stains, they resist decolourisation with strong acids. This feature is called Acid fastness and it is associated with the intact cell wall and the presence of large quantities of lipidecolorisationds and mycolic acid. Performance characteristics:  This test cannot find out the exact species of Mycobacteria. It can only differentiate whether the Acid Fast Bacilli are present or not. Further tests must be performed to confirm the species of Mycobacteria spp. Type of samples:   Sputum, transtracheal aspiration, laryngeal swab, bronchoscopic specimens, bronchoalveolar lavage.  Extra-Pulmonary Specimens: Uri...