The Acid Fast Bacillus Stain Kit (87016) and components are for use as a kit in special stain techniques to detect acid fast bacteria. A waxy, lipid-rich cell wall surrounds the acid fast bacterium. This cell wall absorbs carbol fuchsin but is resistant to decoloration with acid alcohol. Bacteria that do not have a lipid-rich cell wall easily decolorize leaving the acid fast bacillus. Loeffler Methylene Blue Stain Solution provides a light blue counterstain to provide contrast for surrounding tissue elements from the brick red acid fast bacillus.