Leishman stain

Leishman stain is a type of stain used in microscopy to identify and differentiate various types of blood cells. It was developed by the British pathologist William Boog Leishman.

History

The Leishman stain was first developed in the early 20th century by William Boog Leishman, a British pathologist and military doctor. Leishman was interested in the study of tropical diseases, and he developed the stain as a tool to help identify and differentiate various types of blood cells.

Preparation

The Leishman stain is prepared by dissolving a specific amount of Leishman powder in a specific volume of methanol. The solution is then filtered to remove any undissolved particles. The stain is typically used in a diluted form, with the dilution factor depending on the specific application.

Use

The Leishman stain is primarily used in the field of hematology to stain blood smears for microscopic examination. It is particularly useful for identifying and differentiating various types of white blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. The stain can also be used to identify parasites in blood samples, such as those that cause malaria and leishmaniasis.

Mechanism

The Leishman stain works by binding to various components of the cells in a blood smear. The stain contains two main components: eosin, which stains the cytoplasm of cells pink, and methylene blue, which stains the nucleus and other DNA-containing structures blue. The different cell types in a blood smear can be identified and differentiated based on their size, shape, and staining pattern.

See also

• Giemsa stain
• Romanowsky stain
• Wright's stain

References

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