Leishman stain which is a microscopy stain is used for Blood smears. Entitled after Scottish pathologist William Boog Leishman, it is an alternative to the Romanowsky stain providing good contrast, especially for cytoplasmic details and granules. It is based on a methanolic mixture of polychromed methylene blue and eosin, and it serves the dual purpose of staining and fixing the smear.
CAS No.: 12627-53-1
Synonyms: eosin-polychrome methylene blue
| Physical Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H5NO5 |
| Molecular weight | 171.038 g/mol |
| Solubility | Methanol |
| Flash point | 11°C |
| Density | 0.8g/cm3 |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Colour | Dark Green |
| State | Crystalline powder |
| Melting point | -98°C |
| Boiling Point | 65°C |
| Vapour pressure | 128 hPa (20 °C) |
| Explosion Limit upper % | 44% |
| Explosion Limit Lower % | 5.50% |
| Pictograms : |  |
| Hazard Statements : | H315 : Causes skin irritation |
| Precautionary statements : | P302 + P352 : IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water |
Leishman stain which is a microscopy stain is used for Blood smears. Entitled after Scottish pathologist William Boog Leishman, it is an alternative to the Romanowsky stain providing good contrast, especially for cytoplasmic details and granules. It is based on a methanolic mixture of polychromed methylene blue and eosin, and it serves the dual purpose of staining and fixing the smear.
CAS No.: 12627-53-1
Synonyms: eosin-polychrome methylene blue
| Physical Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H5NO5 |
| Molecular weight | 171.038 g/mol |
| Solubility | Methanol |
| Flash point | 11°C |
| Density | 0.8g/cm3 |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Colour | Dark Green |
| State | Crystalline powder |
| Melting point | -98°C |
| Boiling Point | 65°C |
| Vapour pressure | 128 hPa (20 °C) |
| Explosion Limit upper % | 44% |
| Explosion Limit Lower % | 5.50% |
| Pictograms : | |
| Hazard Statements : | H315 : Causes skin irritation |
| Precautionary statements : | P302 + P352 : IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water |
Leishman’s stain works by differentially staining cell components, with methylene blue coloring acidic parts like the nucleus and eosin staining basic parts like the cytoplasm.
Methanol is the alcohol used in Leishman stain. It serves as both a solvent and a fixative for the blood smear.
Leishman stain uses a methanolic mixture of methylene blue and eosin to differentially stain cellular components, aiding in the identification of white blood cells, parasites, and other elements in blood smears.
The differential count with Leishman stain identifies and classifies different types of white blood cells in a blood smear based on their staining characteristics, helping to diagnose various hematological conditions.
No, Leishman stain is not suitable for thick blood films. It is generally used for thin blood smears
