Adams
for Acid Alcohol Fast Bacteria

Solutions

Goodpasture's carbol–fuchsin

Weigert's iron hematoxylin (1904)

0.1% hydrochloric acid in 50% ethanol

5% aqueous acetic acid

0.1% light green SF yellowish in 0.2% acetic acid

Tissue sample
5µ paraffin sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed tissue are likely suitable. Other fixatives are likely suitable.

Method

1. Bring sections to water via xylene and ethanol.
2. Stain nuclei with Weigert's iron hematoxylin for 1 minute.
3. Rinse well with 0.1% hydrochloric acid in 50% ethanol.
4. Repeat the following four times:
   1. Place in Goodpasture's carbol fuchsin for 1 minute.
   2. Decolorise with 5% acetic acid until no more colour is extracted.
5. Wash with water.
6. Counterstain with light green solution for 1 minute.
7. Dehydrate with 85% and absolute ethanols.
8. Clear with xylene and mount with a resinous medium.

Expected results

• Nuclei – black
• Acid fast organisms – red
• Background – green

 

Reference
Gray, Peter. (1954)
The Microtomist's Formulary and Guide.
Originally published by:– The Blakiston Co.
Republished by:– Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co.

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