Question

Which staining technique is used specifically to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis?

• A. Gram Staining
• B. Acid-fast Staining
• C. Capsule Staining
• D. Endospore Staining

Hint:

Mycobacterium → Acid-fast → Ziehl–Neelsen staining → Red cells.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Certain bacteria have cell walls with high lipid content that makes them resistant to conventional staining methods like Gram staining.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis has a cell wall rich in mycolic acids (waxy long-chain fatty acids).
This waxy layer prevents standard aqueous dyes from penetrating the cell wall.
The Acid-fast staining technique (Ziehl-Neelsen or Kinyoun method) uses heat or a high concentration of phenol to drive the primary stain (Carbol Fuchsin) into the cell.
Once stained, these cells resist decolorization by acid-alcohol, which is why they are called "acid-fast."
Non-acid-fast bacteria lose the primary stain and take up the counterstain (Methylene Blue).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The specific staining technique for identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis is Acid-fast Staining.