[The efficiency of cold staining methods at the light microscopical evidence of acid fast bacilli (author's transl)].

Comparing studies has been demonstrated wether or not the cold staining of acid fast bacilli is qualitative and quantitative better than the Ziehl-Neelsen-method. The hot staining was superior to all cold staining methods and their modifications tested. If a cold staining is necessary two methods are recommended, the Kinyoun method and the staining with carbolfuchsin which chloroform is added to. Thin smear and homogeneous material provide better results. Additional investigations concerning decolorizations have shown, that 10% sulfuric acid is as effective as hydrochloric acid-ethanol mixture.