title: [Modification of the basic stain of the Ziehl-Neelsen technic in the identification of Mycobacterium leprae].
abstract: Authors analyse the counterstain with methylene blue solution in the usual Ziehl-Neelsen method. Considerations are made on the characteristics of the dye substance. A technique alteration is proposed: a "concomitant alkalization" of the classic aqueous methylene blue solution, by adding some drops of sodium hydroxide solution, 1:500, on the slide at the moment of the staining. By this technique it was observed: a) a larger validity period of the solution; b) an absence of precipitate in the slides; c) an easier visualization of the substrate; d) a larger contrast among the substrate and the bacilli.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008751:Methylene Blue; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008751:Methylene Blue
vernacular_title: Modificação da coloração de fundo da técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen na identificação do Mycobacterium leprae.