[CSF cytology using prestained slides (author's transl)]

Supravital staining of synovial fluid with Testsimplets

We explored the use of Testsimplet (TS) in synovial fluid (SF) analysis. TS is a glass slide coated with a dry mixture of methylene blue and cresyl violet, which in contact with one drop of SF provides a stained fresh preparation. We applied the TS to the study of 159 SFs of patients with different rheumatic diseases. In those SFs of patients with crystal-associated diseases, the crystal search was performed both on unstained preparations and with TS. TS was as good as the Wright's and Papanicolaou stain in characterizing SF cells, lupus erythematosus cells, and detection of occasional bacteria. TS allowed a better visualization of Reiter's cells, cartilage fragments, synovial villi, fat droplets, and fibrin. Crystals were identified in every TS of those patients with crystal-associated diseases. TS is a rapid and reproducible method of SF supravital staining. Crystals are well preserved for simultaneous examination with compensated polarized light.

Pre-stained slides for the demonstration of rosette-forming cells

Twenty-one specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were examined for T lymphocytes (sheep erythrocyte rosette-forming cells, E-RFC). Conventional wet slide preparations and prestained slides were compared. The mean difference between parallel preparations was 2.5%. Prestained slides are convenient for the examination of RFC. Preparations are easily made without any disfigurement of the cells or disruption of rosettes.

Techniques for the detection of leukocytospermia in human semen

During the cytological evaluation of 1200 spermiocytograms, we used prestained microscope slides (Testsimplets) in 200 cases as a screening method. In 50 cases, a check was made to determine whether leukocytospermia could be detected with aid of Cytur-Test. The findings were compared with smears that were routinely stained by the Papanicolaou technique and subsequently differentiated. The cytological examination of human sperm with the aid of Testsimplets provides a technically simple and rapid procedure that has sufficient informative value to permit the diagnosis or exclusion of the leukocytospermia and the sperm morphology. Leukocytospermia could also be detected by the use of Cytur-Test. The presence of larger numbers of spermatogenic cells does not lead to a blue coloration of the Cytur-Test areas. In cases of leukocytospermia there is a clear blue coloration. These two rapid techniques are useful for the diagnosis of leukocytospermia.