Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Medical Laboratory Science Practice Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

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

Hematoxylin and eosin

Grams

Giemsa

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.

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