India Ink Preparation, CSF Test Cost & Procedure

India ink staining of cerebrospinal fluid is a sensitive examination for the existence of cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus is encircled by a thick capsule; the carbon grains cannot perforate the capsule resulting in a transparent halo around the refractile border of the yeast.

Cryptococcal meningitis happens in immunodeficient individuals and when meningitis is clinically doubted, such as, in individuals with HIV disorder, or when yeast cells with lymphocytes are determined when executing C.S.F.

Principle of India Ink

The capsule is non-ionic so the India ink utilized will not be attached to it. This is the explanation the capsule seems like a transparent halo around the yeast cells.

Benefits

To analyze cerebrospinal sap for organisms with capsules, especially Cryptococcus neoformans.

Test Prerequisites

No particular preparation is required for India Ink Preparation Csf. Inform your physician if you are taking any medicines or have any pertaining medical situations or allergic to certain drugs  before going for India Ink Preparation Csf. Your physician relying on your situation will provide precise instructions.

Sampling Requirements

India Ink, glass microscope slide, and coverslip.

Strategy

• Lightly centrifuge cerebrospinal fluid to focus cells at the underside of the tube (1-2 minutes).
• Flow off surplus fluid (possessing if further experimentation may be essential).
• Fetch a drop from the underside of the centrifuge tube and spot it in the center of a glass microscope slide.
• Spot a drop of India Ink into the sample drop;  mix it properly
• Cover with a coverslip.
• Analyze at ×10 to screen the sample; use ×40 objective to verify results.

Observation of India Ink Preparation

Notice for oval or round cells, some exhibiting budding, uneven in size, measuring 2-10 µm in diameter and encircled by a large unstained capsule as indicated. Very infrequently capsules are absent.

Result Interpretation

• Encapsulated yeasts are noticed: Positive
• Non-encapsulated yeast cells noticed: Negative
• Positive management: The existence of encapsulated yeasts noticed
• Negative management: Absence of encapsulated yeasts noticed
• Examination: Positive as indicated above image.