The aim of this study was to compare Fluorescent(auraminO rhodamine,AO)method ,Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN hot method)and kinyoun(cold method) staining techniques for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Materials And Methods: 186(on 3 consecutive days) sputum samples were collected from 62 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients, processed by petroffs method, and subjected to direct microscopy...