Negative images of mycobacteria in aspiration biopsy smears from the lymph node of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): report of a case and a review of the literature.

Negative images of acid-fast bacilli were observed in Diff-Quik-stained smears of lymph node aspirates from a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection. The significance of this finding in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of this infection is discussed and the literature pertaining to this observation is reviewed.