Comparison of the Microwave-Heated Ziehl-Neelsen Stain and Conventional Ziehl-Neelsen Method in the Detection of Acid-Fast Bacilli in Lymph Node Biopsies.

Background: Tuberculosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with lymphadenopathy being the most common extra-pulmonary manifestation. The conventional Ziehl-Neelsen method plays an essential role in the diagnosis of tuberculosis; however, it has a low sensitivity in detecting acid-fast bacilli.

Aim: The present study emphasises the role of the microwave-heated method (modified Ziehl-Neelsen) over conventional Ziehl-Neelsen stain and to set at the best condition for irradiation.