Giemsafärgning

Giemsafärgning, often referred to as the Giemsa stain, is a differential staining technique used in histology and cytology. It is particularly valuable for the microscopic examination of blood smears and parasites. The stain is named after the German bacteriologist Gustav Giemsa, who developed it in 1904.

The Giemsa stain is a mixture of eosin Y and methylene blue derivatives, dissolved in methanol. Eosin Y is an acidic dye that stains basic cellular components, such as the cytoplasm and red blood cells, pink to reddish-orange. Methylene blue and its oxidation products, such as azures, are basic dyes that stain acidic cellular components, like the nucleus and certain granules, blue to purple. This differential staining allows for the visualization of cellular morphology and the identification of various blood cells and microorganisms.

In hematology, Giemsa staining is routinely used to differentiate between different types of white blood cells, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. It is also essential for identifying abnormal cells in conditions like leukemia. For parasitology, the Giemsa stain is crucial for detecting and identifying blood parasites, most notably Plasmodium species, the causative agents of malaria, as well as other protozoa and bacteria. The characteristic staining patterns of these organisms within red blood cells or in the surrounding plasma aid in their diagnosis. The procedure typically involves fixing the sample on a slide, immersing it in the Giemsa stain solution for a specified time, and then rinsing and drying it for microscopic observation.