Thermo Scientific™ Sulfuric Acid 5% Decolorizer

Description

• Use Thermo Scientific™ Remel™ Sulfuric Acid 1% Decolorizer in the acid-fast staining procedure to detect Cryptosporidium in clinical specimens
• Cryptosporidium is an intestinal protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea in animals as well as humans
• This strain causes infection in immunocompromised hosts, especially those with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) 1
• A modification of the Ziehl-Neelsen stain that utilizes sulfuric acid 5% is recommended by Garcia to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in clinical specimens 2
• Cryptosporidium oocysts are spherical 4-6 μm in diameter, and stain pink to red to purple with Ziehl-Neelsen carbolfuchsin stain
• Most will contain several dark staining granules
• Yeast cells which are most likely to be confused with Cryptosporidium oocysts, stain blue with the counterstain, TB Methylene Blue
• Sulfuric Acid 5% decolorizes the primary stain
• Cryptosporidium is more difficult to detect in formed stool specimens
• Stain time is increased that allows the oocysts to stand out from the background material
• The hot acid-fast stain maximizes detection and identification of Cryptosporidium in formed stools 2
• Easy-to-use - Examine smear in the slides mounted with mounting medium and a coverslip by bright field microscopy (40 X objective) and oil immersion is used (100 X objective) to observe the internal morphology
• Easy-to-interpret - In case of positive test oocysts stain pink to red to purple, are 4-6 μm in diameter and round or oval in shape
• One to four sporozoites maybe visible within the oocyst
• In case of negative test the yeast cells and background material stain blue
• Not all products are available for sale in all territories
• Please inquire
• Remel™ and Oxoid™ products are now part of the Thermo Scientific brand.