DIFFERENTIATION OF THE VARIOUS STAGES OF BLASTOCYSTIS-HOMINIS BY ACRIDINE-ORANGE STAINING

Acridine orange staining differentiates the cystic and the central bod y forms of Blastocystis hominis and offers a very convenient and easy method to observe the internal structure of the parasite. Acridine ora nge stains the nuclei and the central body of the rounded vacuolar for ms of the parasite bright and dull green, respectively. The colour cha nges to yellow and then to flaming red-orange when the rounded central body forms of the parasite become cystic.