IntroductionThe Mycobacterium genus includes pathogens responsible for severe human diseases such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis - the agent of tuberculosis (TB), and Mycobacterium leprae - the agent of leprosy.The rod-shaped Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a non-motile bacteria about 3 to 4 um in length and less than 0.5 um in width.The species are classified as acid-fast bacteria and a widely diffused staining method is the Ziehl-Neelsen, where bacilli are observed in transmitted light. Illumination is typically provided by the built-in light source (mainly halogen lamp) or even sunlight reflected by a mirror.The relative complexity of this method and the need of high magnification lenses are major drawbacks, while fluorescence microscopy is credited with improved sensitivity. The identification of mycobacteria with the fluorescent dye Auramine O is due to the affinity of the fluorochrome to mycolic acid in the cell walls. Recent investigations also indicate a potential affinity to the bacteria DNA. Auramine O is excited by blue light and emits in the region from ~500nm to ~650nm (green-yellow-red