Staining techniques: Diffquick

Introduction

• Diffquick is a Wright's-type rapid blood stain which is a modification of the original Fields stain (reverse order and weaker concentration).
• Modified diffquick protocol (alcohol fixed) results in excellent cell detail but lacks the Romanowsky effect , resulting in blue rather than metachromatic purple color .
  

Uses

• Hematology - blood films.
• Cytology.
• Histology (Helicobacter).
  

Advantages

• Superior to Wright or Wright-Giemsa to stain and identify Distemper inclusions in canine blood cells.
• A rapid staining technique.

Disadvantages

• The stain does not undergo a metachromatic reaction. Therefore it does not always stain basophil or mast cell granules, which is a particular disadvantage in cytology.
• Can get variation in coloration with slight changes in staining times.
  In closed containers/coplin jars away from sources of ignition.
  Active diff-quick solutions should be changed once per week or more frequently if subject to heavy throughput.
  

Preparation

• +/- 30 seconds.

Requirements

Materials required

Minimum equipment

• Coplin jars, light microscope.

Minimum consumables

• Diffquick stain, clean microscope slides, spreader slide, immersion oil.