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Table 1 Comparison of different staining methods

From: Clinical comparison of liquid-based and conventional cytology of oral brush biopsies: a randomized controlled trial

staining method

Giemsa conventional

May-Gruenwald-Giemsa modified

used solution

Giemsa’s azur-eosin-methylene blue solution

May-Gruenwald’s eosin-methylene blue solution modified, Giemsa’s azur-eosin-methylene blue solution

staining cell nucleus

bluish

reddish - violet

staining cytoplasm

reddish

from bluish to reddish - violet

staining mucus

light purple

bluish

staining microbial colonies

Pink to reddish

reddish to purple

staining artifacts

blue to purple

blue to pink

staining background

light pink

clear