Effect of Prior Oxidation on the Acid-Fastness of Mycobacteria

Abstract

Oxidants which attack ethylenes to form aldehydes were effective in increasing the acid-fastness of mycobacteria. Potassium permanganate, performic acid, and peracetic acid were found to be effective. With the permanganate Ziehl-Neelsen stain, acid-fast bacilli seemed to be more strongly stained and more numerous than they did with the unmodified Ziehl-Neelsen method. Moreover, as a practical advantage, the bacilli could be discerned at lower magnification.