What Role Do Special Stains and Techniques Play in Diagnosing Infections?
Special stains and techniques are invaluable in diagnosing infectious diseases. For instance, the Gram stain differentiates bacterial species, aiding in the identification of bacterial infections. Acid-fast staining is used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. Silver stains, like Gomori methenamine silver (GMS), are used to identify fungal organisms. These techniques enhance the visibility of pathogens, facilitating accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
