Subject: Acid-Fast Bacillus

 Hello Histonetters:

Could someone please tell me theory behind the stain AFB-Fite and AFB Ziehl Neelsen.  We perform both stains in our lab.  At the last NSH S/C, in a histochemistry class it was stated using the peanut oil in the Fite stain is no longer proven to preserve the fatty capsule for M. leprae.  So is it necessary to use this stain for

leprosy.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Maryann