Appearance of acid fast organisms
red or pink against a blue background
Acid-fast organisms are organisms that resist decolorization by acid-alcohol after being stained with a primary stain like carbol fuchsin. These organisms have a unique cell wall structure containing mycolic acid, which renders them impermeable to most stains and chemicals. The mycolic acid in the cell wall creates a waxy outer layer, which resists the decolorization by the acid-alcohol.
The acid-fast staining procedure, also known as the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method, is commonly used to identify acid-fast organisms, particularly Mycobacterium species, which are responsible for causing tuberculosis and leprosy.
When viewed under a microscope after staining, acid-fast organisms appear as bright red rods or bacilli against a blue or purple background. The cells typically have an elongated or curved shape and can occur singly or in clusters. The acid-fast staining procedure helps to distinguish acid-fast organisms from other bacteria that do not contain mycolic acid in their cell walls.
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