Comparison of Ziehl Neelsen & Auramine O staining methods on direct and concentrated smears in clinical specimens.

Abstract

Fluorescent microscopy has higher sensitivity and comparable specificity which is further enhanced by concentration. Now with the advent of newer inexpensive Light Emitting Diode (LED) based fluorescent microscopes (FM), which are easier to use, fluorescent microscopy can be widely used even in peripheral laboratories where culture facilities are not available.