The Kinyoun stain is a method of staining acid-fast microorganisms, specifically mycobacterium. The procedure for Kinyoun staining is similar to the Ziehl-Neelsen stain, but does not involve heating the slides being stained.<1 The Kinyoun staining method uses carbolfuchsin as a primary stain, followed by decolorization with an acid-alcohol solution and methylene blue as a counterstain. Kinyoun carbolfuschsin has a greater concentration of phenol and basic fuchsin and does not require heating in order to stain properly.1 When viewed under a microscope, a Kinyoun stained slide will show acid-fast organisms as red and nonacid-fast organisms as blue.
Sample procedure
- Flood slides with Kinyoun carbolfuchsin for 5 minutes.
- Rinse gently with water until the water flows off clear.
- Flood slides with acid-alcohol (3% HCl in ethanol) for 3 minutes.
- Rinse gently with water until the water flows off clear.
- Flood slides with methylene blue for 3 minutes.
- Rinse gently with water until the water flows off clear.
- Allow slides to air dry before viewing.
References
- "Diagnostic Bacteriology: A Study Guide," Margaret A. Bartelt, 2000, F.A. Davis Company.
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