Protozoa Encystment Staining Solution (4% Iodine Solution) - 4% iodine solution

Cat. No.: P1508790

GRADE & PURITY 4% iodine solution

Synonyms

Protozoan Cyst Iodine Stain

Storage

Protected from light,Room temperature

Shipped In

Normal

Application

Cell Staining, Microbial staining

Overview

Protozoa are unicellular eukaryotic organisms that, despite their minute size, are capable of independently performing all physiological functions required for life. They are widely distributed in nature with a great diversity of species. To date, more than 65,000 species have been identified. The majority of these are free-living or saprophytic, inhabiting oceans, soil, water bodies, or decaying matter. Approximately 10,000 species are parasitic protozoa that live inside or on the surface of animal bodies, while a small number are medically relevant protozoa.

Fecal examination is a common etiological testing method for diagnosing parasitic diseases. Commonly used techniques include the direct smear method and the thick smear clearing method. Protozoa Encystment Staining Solution (4% Iodine Solution) is a reagent designed for the direct smear method. It is an aqueous solution of iodine and potassium iodide, similar to Lugol's iodine solution. It is mostly used for detecting helminth eggs, protozoan cysts, and trophozoites in fecal samples. The effective iodine concentration of this solution is 4%. It features simple operation and allows for consecutive sampling and testing over multiple days to improve the detection rate. However, a negative result does not completely rule out parasitic infection. This reagent is intended for research use only and is not suitable for clinical diagnosis or any other purposes.

Operating Procedures (For Reference Only):

1. Perform the operation according to the specific experimental requirements or follow the steps below.

2. Place 1 drop of physiological saline in the center of the left half of a glass slide, and 1 drop of iodine solution in the center of the right half of the slide.

3. Use a wooden splint or matchstick to pick approximately 2 mg of feces (the size of a match head), add it to the drop of physiological saline, and add a similar amount of feces to the drop of iodine solution. Mix the feces with the liquid drops to form suspensions.

4. Cover the liquid drops with cover slips. To perform this step correctly, first hold the cover slip at an angle relative to the glass slide, then touch the edge of the liquid drop, and gently lower the cover slip onto the slide to avoid air bubbles.

5. Examine the slides under the low-power objective lens. If further identification is required, switch to the high-power objective lens and scan the entire area of the cover slip by moving the slide up, down, left, or right. When organisms or suspicious structures are observed, switch to the high-power objective lens to examine their detailed morphology.

Staining Results:

Helminth eggs, protozoan cysts, and trophozoites appear brown or black.

Precautons:

1. For accurate results, the fecal samples must be fresh, and the time from sample collection to submission for testing should generally not exceed 24 hours. If intestinal protozoan trophozoites are to be examined, it is best to process the samples immediately, or store them temporarily at 35–37°C prior to testing.

2. The containers used for holding fecal samples must be clean and dry to prevent contamination. Urine and other body fluids must not be mixed with the fecal samples, as this may interfere with the test results.

3. Prior to preparing the smears, mark a circle on the back of the glass slides to identify the target area for subsequent examinations.

4. Overly thick smears may cause fecal debris to obscure the parasites, while excessively thin smears tend to have blank areas without sufficient sample coverage.

5. Care should be taken to distinguish helminth eggs from foreign materials present in the feces.

6. The activity of trophozoites becomes more pronounced when the temperature is close to the body temperature. If necessary, the samples can be slightly warmed, and the entire examination should generally be completed within 15 minutes.

7. For your safety and health, wear a lab coat and disposable gloves during the operation.

Specifications

Synonyms

Protozoan Cyst Iodine Stain

Specifications & Purity

4% iodine solution

Stability And Storage

Store at room temperature long term (12 months). Store in the dark.

Storage

Protected from light, Room temperature

Shipped In

Normal

Chemical and Physical Properties

• Sensitivity: Light-sensitive