While acid-fast staining is a powerful diagnostic tool, it has some limitations: - Sensitivity: The technique may not detect low numbers of bacteria, leading to false-negative results. - Specificity: While it identifies acid-fast bacteria, it does not differentiate between species. Additional tests, such as culture or molecular techniques, are necessary for precise identification. - Sample Quality: Poorly prepared or inadequately preserved tissue samples can produce suboptimal staining results, complicating diagnosis.
