title: Preparation of acid-fast microscopy smears for proficiency testing and quality control.
abstract: A method is presented for preparing smears for proficiency testing and quality control in acid-fast microscopy. The work was prompted by the increased demand for acid-fast bacilli positive smears with characteristic microscopic appearance and among-smear uniformity.
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011786:Quality Control; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology