Giemsa Thin Film Stain

Created by Kathleen Patrick, Modified on Mon, 11 Nov at 3:06 PM by Kathleen Patrick

EMS26153


Components:

Giemsa Thin Film solution
Giemsa Stock solution
Phosphate Buffer


Fixation:

Streak a drop of blood, leukocytes, rickettsiae culture, pus or other exudates over a sterile glass slide by means of another slide or cover glass. Fix film in Methyl Alcohol for 2-3 minutes.


Staining:

  1. Place in Ethyl or Methyl Alcohol for 5 – 7 minutes. Air dry.
  2. Stain in the Giemsa Thin Film Staining solution*. Because different cells accept the stain at varying rates, prepare 3 – 4 sample slides and stain from 15 – 20 minutes. Some membranous structures (Trypanosomes) may require 1 – 2 hour periods.
    1. To prepare Giemsa Thin Film Staining solution from Giemsa Stock solution, mix before use:
      Giemsa Stock Solution - 1ml
      Phosphate Buffer - 50ml
  3. Wash in distilled water and air dry.


Stain Results:

Nuclei, additional Leukocyte features are similar to Wright Stain results.

Reddish Purple

Plasmodic cytoplasm

Blue

Chromatin

Red


References:

Clark, G., Staining Procedures, Williams and Wilkins Co. Baltimore, 3rd, c. 1973, p. 125

 

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