We do toluidine blue staining regularly.  We have found that the biggest 
cause for poor staining is the pH of the solution.  It should be about 
2.5.  Our solution is simple:  Toluidine blue, 0.5 gm; 20% alcohol, 100 
ml.  Place slides in T blue solution - 2 min.  Rinse in water.  
Differentiate in 2 changes each 95% alcohol and absolute alcohol - 1 min 
each.  Air dry slides.  Coverslip.  It is important to air dry the 
slides as the alcohol left on the slides can continue differentiation.
Results:  Mast cells: blue with magenta granules.  
Hope this helps.  Cheryl


Cheryl Crowder, BA, HTL(ASCP)
Chief Technologist
Anatomic Pathology
Department of Pathobiological Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine
Louisiana State University
Skip Bertman Drive
Baton Rouge, LA  70803

225-578-9734
FAX:  225-578-9720


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