Comparison of Various Staining Procedures in the Identification of Hepatozoon canis Gamonts.
The staining characteristics of gamonts of Hepatozoon canis in peripheral blood smears were evaluated. Three stains, Diff-Quik stain, Giemsa stain and a modification of the naphthol-ASD-chloroacetate esterase stain, were compared. The staining characteristics of the infected cell and the parasite were different in each stain used. The modified naphthol-ASD-chloroacetate esterase stain showed the most difference between the infected and noninfected cells, as well as a difference in staining characteristics of the parasite nucleus from those of the host nucleus. Although the parasite was identified with all stains, a definitive diagnosis was more easily obtained with the naphthol-ASD-chloroacetate esterase stain.
Mercer
S H
SH
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843.
Craig
T M
TM