ZN Stain for TB

KSh750

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ZN Stain for TB

The Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain is a bacteriological staining technique used in cytopathology and microbiology to identify acid-fast bacilli, particularly members of the Mycobacterium genus

It is a standard diagnostic tool for rapid TB diagnosis and is used globally

The stain was developed by Paul Ehrlich, Franz Ziehl, and Friedrich Neelsen, and it has been modified several times to improve its effectiveness.

Indications of the Test

The ZN stain is used for the microscopic examination of clinical samples for acid-fast bacilli, which include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis.

The stain is particularly useful in low-income countries due to its rapidity, low cost, and high positive predictive value for tuberculosis.

Patient Preparation/Instructions

No specific patient preparation is required for the ZN stain. However, it is essential to provide clear instructions to the patient for the collection of appropriate samples, such as sputum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Typical Reference Values

The ZN stain has a lower limit of detection of 5 × 10^3 organisms/mL and can detect 60% to 70% of culture-positive samples.

However, its detection rate is low, ranging from 0 to 20% for CSF specimens. A modified ZN stain has been developed to improve the detection rate, requiring only 0.5 ml of CSF specimens.

Turn Around Time

The turn around time for the ZN stain is typically short, as it is a rapid diagnostic tool. However, the exact time frame may vary depending on the specific laboratory and testing conditions.

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ZN Stain for TB
KSh750
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