are not well understood, but it is thought that the interaction of the basic fuchsin with the cell wall components of bacteria creates a new molecule that is responsible for the color. Modifications 1% sulfuric acid alcohol for actinomycetes, nocardia. 0.5–1% sulfuric acid alcohol for oocysts of isospora, cyclospora. 0.25–0.5% sulfuric acid alcohol for bacterial endospores. Differential staining – glacial acetic acid used, no heat applied, secondary stain is Loeffler's methylene blue. Kinyoun modification (or cold Ziehl–Neelsen technique) is also available. A protocol in which a detergent is substituted for the highly toxic phenol in the fuchsin staining solution. See also Lowenstein–Jensen medium Gram stain Kinyoun stain Acid-fastness Franz Ziehl Friedrich Neelsen References Bibliography "Microbiology with Diseases by Body System", Robert W. Bauman, 2009, Pearson Education, Inc. External links Ziehl–Neelsen protocol (PDF format). Microscopy Microbiology techniques Laboratory techniques Histopathology Histotechnology Staining dyes Staining Bacteriology Acid-fast bacilli