An evaluation of some commerical Romanowsky stains.

Abstract

The staining properties of 43 commerical Romanowsky-type stains have been studied. Considerable differences in the appearance of stained blood films were observed with different batches of these stains, the staining of red cells being particularly variable. Attempts have been made to correlate staining patterns with stain composition as revealed by thin-layer chromatography and sulphated ash analyses. In this way it has been possible to define some essential requirements for satisfactory staining.

A standardized Romanowsky stain prepared from purified dyes.

“…The extent of these variations in a large number of commercially available Romanowsky-type stains was demonstrated in a previous study (Marshall et al, 1975a). In this study it was found that the simplest successful stain examined contained methylene blue, azure B, and eosin and was only minimally contaminated with metal salts.…”

“…It should be noted, however, that the colour balance and some of the more subtle features seen in the films, especially fine granulation, have been lost in thereproduction. Although the number ofcoloured components in this stain is small (see figs 7 and 8) compared with that typically seen in commercial stains (Marshall et al, 1975a) the characteristic subtle variation in colour was present.…”

“…On no occasion was any staining variation seen. This reproducibility obtained from a stain prepared from purified dyes represents a distinct advantage over that of currently available commercial stains (Marshall et al, 1975a). Another advantage which makes the stain particularly suitable for routine use is that the stock solution in glycerol-methanol is rapidly prepared and may be used immediately.…”

Microspectrophotometric studies of Romanowsky stained blood cells

“…For example, the nuclei of leucocytes are stained a deep purple, the RNA-rich cytoplasms of lymphocytes and monocytes blue, and the acidophilic cytoplasm of neutrophils and RBCs pink. Most Romanowsky stains are mixtures of numerous dyes and metallic salts (Marshall et al, 1975a;Lubrano et al, 1977). However, recent studies have shown that the characteristic scheme of Romanowsky colouring is largely, or perhaps entirely, due to two components, namely azure B and eosin Y (Marshall et al, 1975bWittekind et al, 1976;Wittekind & Lohr, 1975).…”

Recommandations techniques et règles de bonne pratique pour la coloration de May-Grünwald-Giemsa : revue de la littérature et apport de l’assurance qualité

“…Les travaux de Marshall, repris par Kiernan [29,[34][35][36] ont montré que les solutions stocks ou les poudres associant l'éosinate d'azur B et le bleu de méthylène dans des mélanges de méthanol-glycérol à 50 % (v/v) donnent des colorations homogènes après dilution dans l'eau tamponnée.…”