MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL STAINING TECHNIQUES 



GIEMSA STAIN - MAY-GRUNWALD STAIN 

 For blood and parasites 



Solutions required: 



A. May-Grunwald stain. 



B. Giemsa stain. 



Technique: 



1. Unfixed air-dried films are stained for three minutes in May- 

 Grunwald stain; then an equal volume of distilled water is added 

 and mixed with the stain by rocking the slide. The diluted stain is 

 then allowed to act for one minute; then drained off, without 

 washing. 



2. Stain for ten to fifteen minutes in a mixture consisting of lo 

 drops of Giemsa stain in lo ml. distilled water. 



3. Differentiate for about five seconds, with distilled water, 

 examining under the microscope to ensure that differentiation is 

 complete. 



4. Blot and dry in air ; mount. 



Results: 



As Giemsa stain but with more intense colouring. 



GRAM'S STAIN 

 For bacterial smears 



Solutions required: 



A. Aniline gentian violet or carbol 



gentian violet. 



B. Gram's iodine. 



C. Carbol fuchsin (Ziehl Neelsen) . . i volume 

 Distilled water . . , . • • 9 volumes 



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