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 This information is provided by an independent source. Merck & Co., Inc. is not responsible for this content. Please discuss any and all treatment options with your healthcare professional. The manufacturer of a product generally has the most complete information about that product.
 Acid-fast stainDefinitionThe acid-fast stain is a laboratory test that determines if a sample of tissue, blood, or other body substance is infected with the bacteria that causes tuberculosis and other illnesses. How the Test is PerformedYour health care provider will collect a sample of blood, urine, stool, sputum, bone marrow, or tissue, depending on the location of the suspected infection. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where a small amount is placed on a glass slide, stained, and heated. The cells in the sample hold onto the dye. The lab team member washes the slide with an acid solution and applies a different stain. The bacteria that hold onto the first dye are considered "acid-fast" because they resist the acid wash. This type of bacteria is associated with tuberculosis and other infections. How to Prepare for the TestPreparation depends on how the sample is collected. Your health care provider will tell you how to prepare. How the Test Will FeelThe amount of discomfort depends on how the sample is collected. Why the Test is PerformedThe test can tell if you are infected with mycobacteria, the organism that causes tuberculosis and related infections. Normal ResultsA normal result means no acid-fast bacteria were found on the stained sample. Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results MeanAbnormal results may indicate an infection with an acid-fast bacteria. Acid-fast bacteria include those that cause tuberculosis, nontuberculous infections, and nocardia infections. RisksRisks depend on how the sample is collected. Ask your health provider to explain the risks and benefits of the medical procedure.
Review Date:
12/3/2007 Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. 
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