TB Stain

(Fluorescence Method)

Intended use:

For identification of acid-fast bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium, which includes the tuberculosis-causing Mycobacterium tuberculosis

 

Principle:

When the acid-fast bacteria are stained by fluorescent dye Auramine O, bright orange-yellow fluorescence can be easily detected by UV-fluorescence microscope under low magnification. It is faster to screen acid-fast bacteria using this fluorescence kit than the Carbolfuchsin stain.

 

Methods:

1. Fix smear, then add Solution A to stain for 15 minutes at room temperature or under heat for 5 minutes. Rinse with water gently.

2. Decolorize for 1~2 minutes with Solution B. Rinse with water gently.

3. Counterstain with Solution C for 2~4 minutes. If counterstain for too long, the fluorescence will disappear. Rinse with water gently.

4. Air dry and then examine the finished smear in the black background.

 

Specifications:

 

Contents	3Btlsx250ml/kit	Components
Auramine O dye	1BTx250ml	Auramine O
Acid Alcohol	1BTx250ml	0.5% hydrochloric acid ethanol
Counterstain solution	1BTx250ml	0.5% potassium permanganate

 

Precaution:

1. All positive smears should be restained by Kinyoun and Ziehl-Neelsen methods for confirmation.

2. The Auramine O dye included in this kit is very stable and will not precipitate. As a result, the fluorescence would not disappear.

 

Expected Results:

The acid-fast mycobacteria appear bright orange yellow in black background, while the debris in the background are in light yellow.