While acid-fast staining is a standard diagnostic tool, other methods can also be used: - Culture Techniques: Culturing the organism, though more time-consuming, can provide definitive identification and drug susceptibility data. - Molecular Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification tests offer rapid and specific identification of mycobacterial DNA. - Fluorescent Staining: Auramine-rhodamine staining, followed by fluorescent microscopy, is another alternative that can be more sensitive than traditional acid-fast staining.
