acid-fast
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Resistant to decolorization by acids: Describes a property of certain bacteria and other microorganisms that, once stained, retain the dye even when washed with an acid-alcohol solution. This characteristic is crucial for identification in laboratory diagnostics.
- Pertaining to specific microorganisms: Primarily associated with bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the causative agent of tuberculosis) and Mycobacterium leprae (the causative agent of leprosy).
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The laboratory report confirmed the presence of acid-fast bacilli in the sputum sample, suggesting tuberculosis.
- A Ziehl-Neelsen stain is a common technique used to identify acid-fast organisms under the microscope.
Advanced Usage
- "Acid-fast stain": A specific laboratory staining procedure used to differentiate acid-fast bacteria from non-acid-fast bacteria.
- The microbiologist performed an acid-fast stain to rule out a mycobacterial infection.
- "Acid-fastness" (noun): The quality or property of being acid-fast.
- The acid-fastness of the bacterium is due to the high lipid content of its cell wall.
Variants and Related Words
- Non-acid-fast (adj): Easily decolorized by acid-alcohol solutions; describes most bacteria that do not belong to the genus.
- In contrast to tubercle bacilli, common staphylococci are non-acid-fast.
Synonyms
- Acid-resistant: Having the ability to withstand the effects of acid (often used in a broader chemical context, but can relate to staining in microbiology).
Related Phrases
- Acid-fast bacilli (AFB): A standard medical term for the rod-shaped bacteria detected by acid-fast staining, typically referring to mycobacteria.
- The patient was started on treatment after the smear was positive for acid-fast bacilli.
Adjective
- not easily decolorized by acid solutions; pertains to micro-organisms (especially the tubercle bacillus that causes tuberculosis)