(Laboratory) Capsular Staining

Question 1

List down the step-by-step method for Capsular Staining:

Answer 1

1. Place a loopful of bacterial culture in the center of a glass slide. Alternatively, emulsify a colony of bacteria with NSS.
2. Add a drop of serum and mix well to make a thin smear.
3. Air dry and heat fix very gently by passing the slide over flame for only a few seconds.
4. Cover smear with crystal violet or gentian violet. Hold it over a flame for a second or two until it begins to steam slightly.
5. Wash off excess stain with a 20% aqueous solution of Copper sulfate.
6. Air or dry blot and examine under OIO.

Question 2

In Capsular Staining, we cover the smear with _____ or _____

Answer 2

Crystal Violet or Gentian Violet

Question 3

In Capsular Staining, after applying gentian violet or crystal violet, wash off the excess the stain with _____

Answer 3

20% Aqueous Solution of Copper sulfate

Question 4

It is the clear area or “halo” around the bacterial cell

Answer 4

Capsule