Because of this waxy cell wall, they're acid fast, meaning that it can hold on to a dye in spite of being exposed to alcohol, leaving in a bright red color, when as Ziehl-Neelsen stain is used.

由于这层蜡样细胞壁结构，结核分枝杆菌是一种耐酸的病原菌，这就意味着它可以在酒精中存活，我们通常会用齐-尼氏抗酸染色法来使细胞壁变为红色。