A bacterial diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium in a sputum sample from an AIDS patient would be best determined by which method?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acid-fast staining is used to specifically identify acid-fast bacteria, such as Mycobacterium species, which stain red with carbol fuschin dye and resist decolorization with acid-alcohol. This method is commonly used for diagnosis of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections in sputum samples from immunocompromised patients, including those with AIDS. Blood agar culture, MacConkey agar culture, Gram staining, and bacitracin susceptibility are not useful in identifying Mycobacterium avium.

A Bacterial Diagnosis of Mycobacterium Avium in a Sputum Sample