Comparison of auramine-rhodamine B and acridine orange for staining of acid-fast bacteria

Abstract

In cooperation of 6 laboratories in Czechoslovakia and in the GDR, the efficiency of auramine-rhodamine B (AR) and acridine orange (AO) (short-time method) for staining of acid-fast bacilli was compared. Whereas a former comparison of AR and AO (original method) pointed out the superiority of AR, the investigation of both methods used as short-time procedures showed significantly more acid-fast rods after using AO. The number of "false positive" results was somewhat higher on AR staining. However the results depend not only on the method used but also on the procedure of staining and the optical equipment, and they are essentially influenced by the experience and proficiency of the microscopist. Taking into account the results of both studies both auramine-rhodamine B and acridine orange can be proposed for the staining of slides for microscopical detection of acid-fast rods. In case of AO, the short-time method is superior to the original long-time procedure.