Staining Principles
Romanowsky stains, such as Giemsa, Leishman and May-Grunwald, are used widely for the
routine staining of peripheral blood films. Whichever combination of stains is used the distinction
in staining achieved due to the balance of basic and acidic components within the stains. The
colour a particular cellular component stains, is dependent on the binding that occurs between the
staining compounds and chemical structures within the cell as well as interaction between dye
molecules, pH and time.
Proteins and nucleic acids bind to the basic component of the stain, resulting in a blue-violet or
blue colour. Whereas the basic chemical structures within haemoglobin have a high affinity for the
more acidic component of the stain, resulting in a red or orange colour. Eosinophil granules and
basic compound which has a strong affinity for acidic component of the stain. Basophil granules
contain heparin, which is strongly acidic and therefore has a high affinity for basic component.
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