Products
Services
Resources
Selection Guides
About
What are the fundamental differences between Ziehl-Neelsen technique and the Kinyoun technique?
Posted March 22, 2023
Answer
Basis of differentiation | Ziehl-Neelsen technique | Kinyoun technique |
Primary stain | Carbol fuchsin is used as a primary stain | Basic fusion is used as a primary stain |
Phenol concentration | A low phenol concentration is sued | A high concentration is used |
Heating | Cells are heated for 5 minutes during the staining procedure | Cells are not heated during the staining procedure |
Decolorization | The primary stain is removed by the decolorizer | The primary stain is not removed by the decolorizer |
Mordant | Phenol and heat act as mordants and help to penetrate the stain into the cell | High concentration of phenol and basic fuchsin act as mordants and assist in penetration of the stain into the cell |
Concentration of primary stain | A low concentration of primary stain is used as compared to kinyoun technique | A high concentration of primary stain is used |
Toxic Effect | Phenol is heated and as a result it turns into a toxic form that harms mucous membranes | Kinyoun stain is safer because phenol is not heated |
Additional resources