GIEMSA STAIN

Properties of Giemsa stain

Uses of Giemsa stain 

Giemsa Stain in Parasitology and Bacteriology

• For Malaria Diagnosis: Giemsa stain is used for the identification of the Plasmodium parasite, which is responsible for malaria. It differentiates malarial parasites within red blood cells.
• For Leishmania Species: Pathologists identify Leishmania amastigotes inside macrophages using Giemsa stain in infected tissue samples.
• For Chlamydia trachomatis, Scientists use Giemsa stain to highlight intracytoplasmic inclusions in epithelial cells, aiding in Chlamydia diagnosis.
• For Helicobacter Pylori: Pathologists identify H. pylori in gastric biopsies by using Giemsa stain to highlight the spiral bacteria against a stained background.
• Giemsa Stain for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae: Laboratories detect Mycoplasma species in respiratory samples using Giemsa stain, though PCR provides more sensitivity.

Giemsa Stain in Virology and Cytology

• For Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): Cytologists stain preparations with Giemsa to reveal multinucleated giant cells, which indicate HSV infection.
• For Trypanosomiasis: Clinicians diagnose Trypanosoma species, including T. brucei (sleeping sickness) and T. cruzi (Chagas disease), using Giemsa-stained samples.
• Giemsa May-Grünwald Stain: Cytologists apply Giemsa May-Grünwald stain to enhance nuclear and cytoplasmic staining in cytological and hematological samples.
• For Mast Cells and Mast Cell Tumors: Pathologists identify mast cells in tissue sections using Giemsa stain to aid in diagnosing mast cell tumors.
• For Fungi: Researchers use Giemsa stain to highlight fungal elements in infections, though it is not the primary staining method.
• Giemsa Stain in Cytology: Cytologists use Giemsa stain in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to assess abnormal cells in lymph nodes and soft tissues.

Giemsa Stain in Microbiology and Genetic Analysis

• Giemsa Stain CFU (Colony-Forming Units) Analysis: Microbiologists stain microbial colonies with Giemsa to count CFUs in laboratory cultures.
• Giemsa Stain on Skin Samples: Dermatopathologists use Giemsa stain to highlight inflammatory cells, parasites, and microbial infections in skin samples.
• Giemsa Stain in Chromosomal Analysis (G-Banding): It is used in Giemsa banding, called G-banding, in chromosome staining, in identifying chromosomal translocations and rearrangements, and to create a chromosome map called a karyogram.

Giemsa stain procedure/Giemsa Stain Protocol

Principle

Giemsa stain is a Romanowsky stain that binds to acidic and basic cell components. Azure B and methylene blue stain nuclei and ribosomal RNA blue to purple, while eosin stains cytoplasm pink to red. This staining technique helps differentiate blood cells and detect parasites like Plasmodium (malaria).

Thin Film Staining

• Spread a thin layer of blood on a clean, dry glass slide and let it air dry.
• Dip the dried smear 2–3 times into pure methanol to fix it, then let it air dry for 30 seconds.
• Cover the slide with 5% Giemsa stain solution and leave it for 20–30 minutes.
• Rinse the slide with tap water and let it air dry.

Thick Film Staining

• Apply a thick layer of blood on a glass slide and let it air dry for 1 hour on a staining rack.
• Dip the dried smear into diluted Giemsa stain (prepared by mixing 1 ml of stock solution with 49 ml of phosphate buffer or distilled water).
• Wash the stained smear by dipping it in buffered or distilled water for 3–5 minutes.
• Let the slide air dry before examination.