Mycobacteria have a unique, waxy cell wall made of mycolic acid. This waxy coat makes them resistant to the standard Gram stain. In an AFB Stain (also known as the Ziehl-Neelsen stain), the lab uses a bright red dye and heat (or a detergent). Once the bacteria take up the red dye, they “hold on” to it even when washed with acid—hence the name “Acid-Fast.”
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