Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/ˈæs.ɪd.fæst bækˈtɪr.i.ə/

Meaning and Usage

Acid-fast bacteria are a group of bacteria that are resistant to decolorization by acids during staining procedures. This characteristic is often used in microbiology to identify certain types of bacteria, particularly Mycobacterium species, the agents of tuberculosis and leprosy. The term "acid-fast" refers specifically to the ability of these bacterial cell walls, rich in mycolic acid, to retain stains even when exposed to acidic solutions.

Frequency of Use

The term "acid-fast bacteria" is more commonly used in written contexts, particularly in scientific literature, microbiology courses, and medical contexts. It is valuable for those working in healthcare, research, and laboratory settings.

Example Sentences

1. Acid-fast bacteria are often detected using special staining techniques in the laboratory.

2. (Acid-fast bacteria werden oft mithilfe spezieller Färbetechniken im Labor nachgewiesen.)

3. The presence of acid-fast bacteria in a sample indicates a potential infection with tuberculosis.

4. (Das Vorhandensein von säurefesten Bakterien in einer Probe deutet auf eine mögliche Infektion mit Tuberkulose hin.)

5. Many diagnostic tests focus on identifying acid-fast bacteria to facilitate timely treatment.

6. (Viele diagnostische Tests konzentrieren sich darauf, säurefeste Bakterien zu identifizieren, um eine zeitnahe Behandlung zu ermöglichen.)

Idiomatic Expressions

While "acid-fast bacteria" itself is not typically featured in idiomatic expressions, related terms in microbiology and medicine do appear in various idioms and phrases that might reference similar concepts.

Example Sentences with Related Idioms

1. You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs when working in diagnostic microbiology; studying acid-fast bacteria requires a thorough understanding of the processes.

2. (Man kann kein Omelett machen, ohne Eier zu zerbrechen; das Studium säurefester Bakterien erfordert ein gründliches Verständnis der Prozesse.)

3. It’s a double-edged sword; while detecting acid-fast bacteria is crucial for diagnosing tuberculosis, false positives can cause unnecessary alarm.

4. (Es ist ein zweischneidiges Schwert; während es entscheidend ist, säurefeste Bakterien zur Diagnose von Tuberkulose zu entdecken, können falsch-positive Ergebnisse unnötige Alarmbereitschaft auslösen.)

5. When it comes to treating infections caused by acid-fast bacteria, time is of the essence, and you must act swiftly.

6. (Wenn es darum geht, Infektionen, die durch säurefeste Bakterien verursacht werden, zu behandeln, ist Zeit von entscheidender Bedeutung, und man muss schnell handeln.)

Etymology

The term "acid-fast" originates from microbiological terminology, where "acid" refers to the acidic solutions used in staining, and "fast" implies the property of retaining the dye. The concept was first introduced in the early 20th century, when studies on tuberculosis revealed the unique ability of certain bacteria to resist acid wash during diagnosis.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Mycobacterium
• Acid-resistant bacteria

Antonyms

• Non-acid-fast bacteria
• Easily decolorized bacteria

By using these insights, you can have a deeper understanding of "acid-fast bacteria," their significance in the field of microbiology, and how they fit into the larger context of health sciences.