Gram Stained Crop and Faecal Smear Tests
What
is a Gram Stain?
This is a four step process for staining smears of bacteria on microscope slides. Before they are stained, most bacteria are almost transparent under a light microscope, and can be quite difficult to recognise and distinguish from other microscopic particles. Gram stains of faecal and often other smears are a very important part of the examination of many sick birds ... they help vets check for and recognise the presence of bacterial infections and certain other infections. They may also provide helpful clues about the effectiveness of antibiotic and other treatments, and about heavy metal poisoning. The latter is very common and is discussed elsewhere.
After drying and heat fixing the smear(s) they are stained with crystal violet for 30-60 seconds.
The crystal violet is washed off and excess water tipped off.
Lugol’s Iodine or Grams Iodine is applied for 30-60 secconds and washed off.
Acetone or Acetone/Ethanol is used briefly to decolourise the smears and quickly rinsed off.
Safranin is then applied for 30-60 seconds and rinsed off.
The slide is then thoroughly dried.
A drop of microscope oil immersion oil is then applied to each smear on the slide before the slide is examined microscopically using oil immersion lens providing approximately 1000x magnifcation when combined with the eye piece lens.
This is a four step process for staining smears of bacteria on microscope slides. Before they are stained, most bacteria are almost transparent under a light microscope, and can be quite difficult to recognise and distinguish from other microscopic particles. Gram stains of faecal and often other smears are a very important part of the examination of many sick birds ... they help vets check for and recognise the presence of bacterial infections and certain other infections. They may also provide helpful clues about the effectiveness of antibiotic and other treatments, and about heavy metal poisoning. The latter is very common and is discussed elsewhere.
After drying and heat fixing the smear(s) they are stained with crystal violet for 30-60 seconds.
The crystal violet is washed off and excess water tipped off.
Lugol’s Iodine or Grams Iodine is applied for 30-60 secconds and washed off.
Acetone or Acetone/Ethanol is used briefly to decolourise the smears and quickly rinsed off.
Safranin is then applied for 30-60 seconds and rinsed off.
The slide is then thoroughly dried.
A drop of microscope oil immersion oil is then applied to each smear on the slide before the slide is examined microscopically using oil immersion lens providing approximately 1000x magnifcation when combined with the eye piece lens.
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Gold Coast Bird Vet Specialist Dr Ross Perry, PO Box 520, Mullumbimby NSW 2482 consulting strictly by appointment. To make appointment please ring 02 66795770 or 0419693279 or e-mail drrossperry1@gmail.com. Similarly book your appointment for your long distance phone or Skype (DoctorRossPerry) or iChat (DoctorRossPerry) consultations with Dr Ross Perry.
