Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

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Which acid-fast stain is most commonly used for bacteria?

Hematoxylin and eosin
Grams
Giemsa
Ziehl-Neelsen

The correct answer is: Ziehl-Neelsen

The Ziehl-Neelsen stain is the most commonly used acid-fast stain for identifying bacteria, particularly for diagnosing infections caused by Mycobacterium species, such as tuberculosis. This staining technique utilizes a combination of heat and a strong dye called carbol fuchsin to penetrate the waxy cell wall of acid-fast bacteria. Once the bacteria take up the dye, the sample is washed with an acid-alcohol solution, which decolorizes non-acid-fast organisms but leaves the acid-fast bacteria stained red. This method is particularly effective because it highlights the distinctive properties of Mycobacterium, allowing for easier identification under a microscope. The choice of this stain is due to its specificity and reliability in clinical settings, particularly for detecting mycobacterial infections.