Rapi-Diff & Other Ready-to-Use Stains and Reagents
We supply the very popular Rapi-Diff Stain Set along with the individual stains, A, B and C which can also be purchased separately from us. We also offer a selection of gram stain liquids which include: Acetone for use as a clearing agent, Giemsa, Leishman, Loffler’s Methylene Blue and New Methylene Blue.
In addition, we also supply TB stains, Phosphate Buffered Saline pH 6.8 to support our Rapi-Diff 11 stain, Buffered Formalin, White Cell Counting Fluid and finally, the indispensable Potassium Hydroxide solution for the diagnosis of mites and ringworm in hair and skin samples. If there are any other particular stains that you cannot see in our price list, please let us know and we will do our very best to source them for you.
Rapi-Diff Stain 11 Stain Set
Our Rapi-Diff II Staining set which is useful for staining smears, especially blood smears is available in 2.5L, 1L, 500ml and 250ml sets or single solutions. This set is for the rapid differential evaluation of haematology and cytological smears and is directly comparable to DIFF-QUICK and the results are similar to Romanowsky stained smears.
Briefly, the smear is air dried and then immersed in “Solution A” fixing solution (Thiazine dye in methanol) for a least 5 seconds or longer. Then holding the microscope slide at one end, the smear is dipped in and out of “Solution B” (Eosin Y in phosphate buffer) five times allowing 1-2 seconds per dip. After the last dip, the excess stain is drained off onto absorbent paper and rinsed off with phosphate buffer pH 6.8. The process is repeated in “Solution C” (Polychromed Methylene Blue in phosphate buffer) to give the smear a purple colour, washed with buffer and air dried before being examined under the microscope. With this procedure, red/blue staining intensities can be adjusted by varying the number of dips in Solution B or C.
Both plastic and glass Coplin/Staining jars can be purchased.
The number of dips in stains can be varied to provide different intensities of red/blue staining.
When in use stains should be stored in suitable capped containers to prevent evaporation (for example: screw-capped Coplin Staining Jars).
Washing in phosphate buffer solution pH 6.8 is recommended for best results. Distilled water or tap water can be used in an emergency with some loss of colour quality.
Transfer of Solution B into Solution C will result in the deterioration of staining performance over time due to an interaction between the solutions resulting in the need to increase the staining time in Solution C. This can be reduced to a minimum if the slide is washed with phosphate buffer solution pH 6.8 before transfer to solution C.
You may find that Solution A will run out before Solutions B and C and we supply the single Solutions separately.
Any questions or queries, please contact our Technical Services Department
Telephone: 01798 874871
Other Items Required
We recommend using our plastic, screw-capped Coplin Staining Jars (Order Code: 1625) for holding the stains and preventing any evaporation. Our Phosphate Buffered Saline pH 6.8 (Order Code: 0626) in a wash bottle (Order Code: 1450), for washing specimens between and after Solutions A and B.
Top Tip
Just before you make the blood smear, use a Kimberly Clarke, KIMCARE fluff less tissue to ensure that your microscope slide is clean and free from any grease or dust.
