Which stain would be the best choice for detecting mycobacterium (the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis and leprosy)?
A)simple stain
B)endospore stain
C)acid-fast stain
D)Gram stain

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acid-fast stain is used to detect mycobacterium because the bacteria have high levels of mycolic acid in their cell wall which makes them resistant to many staining procedures including the Gram stain. The acid-fast stain penetrates the mycolic acid and reveals the bacteria for observation under the microscope. Simple stain, endospore stain, and Gram stain do not provide the specificity needed to detect mycobacterium.

Which Stain Would Be the Best Choice for Detecting Mycobacterium