Diagnostic Cytology Methods and Purpose: de Vera, Jim Ericson F. March 23, 2018 Bmls Histopathology: Tue / 7:00-9:00
Diagnostic Cytology Methods and Purpose: de Vera, Jim Ericson F. March 23, 2018 Bmls Histopathology: Tue / 7:00-9:00
Diagnostic Cytology Methods and Purpose: de Vera, Jim Ericson F. March 23, 2018 Bmls Histopathology: Tue / 7:00-9:00
Staining is technique used in microscopy to enhance contrast in the microscopic image. Stains
and dyes are frequently used in biological tissues for viewing, often with the aid of different microscopes.
Stains may be used to define and examine bulk tissues (highlighting, for example, muscle fibers or
connective tissue), cell populations (classifying different blood cells, for instance), or organelles within
individual cells.
Staining techniques
Direct staining - The organism is stained and background is left unstained.
Negative staining - The background is stained and the organism is left unaltered.
Kinds of Stains
Simple stain
Differential stain
Structural or special stains
Simple Staining
The staining process involves immersing the sample (before or after fixation and mounting) in
dye solution, followed by rinsing and observation. Many dyes, however, require the use of a mordant, a
chemical compound that reacts with the stain to form an insoluble, coloured precipitate. When excess dye
solution is washed away, the mordanted stain remains.
Simple staining is one step method using only one dye. Basic dyes are used in direct stain and
acidic dye is used in negative stain. Simple staining techniques is used to study the morphology better, to
show the nature of the cellular contents of the exudates and also to study the intracellular location of the
bacteria.
Differential Staining
Gram Staining: Differential Stains use two or more stains and allow the cells to be categorized
into various groups or types. Both the techniques allow the observation of cell morphology, or shape, but
differential staining usually provides more information about the characteristics of the cell wall
(Thickness). Gram staining (or Gram’s method) is an emprical method of differentiating bacterial species
into two large groups (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) based on the chemical and physical properties
of their cell wall. The Gram stain is almost always the first step in the identification of a bacterial
organism, While Gram staining is a valuable diagnostic tool in both clinical and research settings, not all
bacteria can be definitively classified by this technique, thus forming Gram variable and Gram
MICROBIOLOGY MODULE Common Staining Technique Microbiology 24 Notes indeterminate
groups as well. The word Gram is always spelled with a capital, referring to Hans Christian Gram, the
inventor of Gram staining.
Crystal violet acts as the primary stain. Crystal violet may also be used as a simple stain
because it dyes the cell wall of any bacteria.
Gram’s iodine acts as a mordant (Helps to fix the primary dye to the cell wall).
Decolorizer is used next to remove the primary stain (crystal violet) from Gram Negative
bacteria (those with LPS imbedded in their cell walls). Decolorizer is composed of an
organic solvent, such as, acetone or ethanol or a combination of both.)
Finally, a counter stain (Safranin), is applied to stain those cells (Gram Negative) that
have lost the primary stain as a result of decolorization.
a.) Hematoxylin : Natural dye hematoxylin is the nuclear stain which stains cell nuclei blue. It has
affinity for chromatin, attaching to sulphate groups on the D.N.A. molecule. Harris’ hematoxylin
is the commonest cytologically although Gills’ hematoxylin and Hematoxylin S can be used.
b.) Orange Green 6 : This is the first acidic counterstain (cytoplasmic stain) which stains matured
and keratinized cells. The target structures are staine d orange in different intensities.
c.) Eosin Azure : This is the second counterstain which is a polychrome mixture of eosin Y, light
green SF and Bismarck brown.
d.) Eosin Y gives a pink colour to cytoplasm of mature squamous cells, nucleoli, cilia and red blood
cells. Staining solutions commonly used in cytology are EA 31 and EA 50, while EA 65
e.) Light green SF stains blue to cytoplasm of metabolically active cells like parabasal squamous
cells, intermediate squamous cells and columnar cells.
f.) Bismarck brown Y stains nothing and sometimes it is often omitted.