3. Spread the serum–phenol/suspension thoroughly and evenly
throughout the circle on the Reich slide with the platinum
tip tool.
4. Allow the slide to air-dry on a level surface.
5. Fix the slide in formaldehyde vapor for 3 min.
6. Heat the slide over a boiling water bath with flat cover or hot
plate (100
C) for 2 min.
7. Flood slide with gelatin-phenol solution then drain (see Note
24).
8. Repeat step 6.
9. Fix the slide in formaldehyde vapor for 2 min.
10. Repeat step 6.
11. Allow the slide to cool.
12. Flood the slide with carbol fuchsin for 20 min.
13. Wash slide thoroughly in water.
14. Wash with acid alcohol for 10–15 s or until stains stop running.
15. Wash slide with water.
16. Counterstain with methylene blue or brilliant green for
1–2 min.
17. Wash slide with water.
18. Allow slide to air-dry.
19. Count AFB in 20 consecutive fields (3Â), in each circle (see
Note 25).
Fig. 7 Fite-Faraco stain showing disperse M. leprae clusters throughout the
parenchyma of the spleen of an infected armadillo. Magnification shown is 40Â
34
Elizabeth Wallace et al.