Evaluation of a two step AFB cold staining method and simplified concentration technique for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

Ziehl Neelsen (Z-N) stain is the commonly used procedure for demonstration for AFB. A Simple cold stain technique and Simplified concentration technique were compared with the conventional methods on 1484 sputum samples over a period of 3 months. A positivity rate of 9.3% was observed on direct microscopy with an increase in the yield by 30% after concentration. It was observed that the simple cold staining and simplified concentration are viable alternatives for demonstration of mycobacteria in busy clinical laboratories.