Permanent Stains

• What is the purpose of the permanent stained smear procedure in the O&P examination?

  = To confirm the presence of protozoa cysts and/or trophozoites
• Why is the permanent stained smear considered crucial in the O&P examination?

  = It confirms the presence of protozoa with stained intracellular organelles
• Which stage of protozoa may not be detected in the concentrated wet mount preparation?

  = Trophozoites
• Why is the permanent stained smear not the method of choice for identifying helminth eggs or larvae?

  = Helminth eggs stain too dark and appear distorted.
• Which preservation method allows for the creation of a permanent stained smear using PVA or SAF?

  = Formalin fixation
• Which stain is the most widely used permanent stain in routine O&P testing?

  =  Trichrome (Wheatley modification)
• What staining characteristics does the trichrome stain offer in the permanent stained smear?

  =  Distinct color differences among parasitic structures and background material
• Which stain provides excellent morphology of intestinal protozoa with clear and sharp nuclear detail?

  =  Iron hematoxylin
• What are specialized stains used for in the O&P examination?

  = To specifically detect certain groups of parasites
• Which specialized stain is used for detecting Cryptosporidium, Isospora, and Cyclospora oocysts?

  = Modified acid-fast stain
• Which stain is recommended for detecting acid-fast parasites in addition to other protozoa in SAF-preserved fecal samples?

  = Modified iron hematoxylin stain