Development Of ZN Staining Method By Using Available Liquid Organic Cleaners Instead Of Phenol For Detection Of Tubercle Bacilli

Abstract

Tuberculosis is a fatal disease that can affect almost any part of the body but mainly the lung. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). This study aimed to exclude the highly toxic phenol from staining solution used for MTB detection and develop safer procedure. For this, selective lipophilic agent’s fairy, Clorax and septol were selected and used. A known positive sputum and culture-smear prepared were stained by traditional ZN and selective lipophilic agents using heating either flame or water path at 600c for 10 mins. The result were obtained a cid fast bacilli stained red colour with blue background. The results of this method compared with traditional ZN stain showed no significant differences P< 0.05 between these methods and the original one. We recommended to use new selective agent as an alternative to phenol that is cheaper, safe and easy to handle.