An alternative to India ink stain

Trop Doct. 2015 Jul;45(3):206-7. doi: 10.1177/0049475515587821. Epub 2015 May 20.

Abstract

Accessing India ink in rural Uganda is difficult and costly. An alternative stain was sought to assist in microbiological diagnoses of cryptococcal infections in immunosuppressed patients with meningitis. Mascara proved to be an excellent and cheap alternative.

Keywords: Cryptococcus; India ink; mascara.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Coloring Agents / chemistry
  • Cryptococcus neoformans / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis, Cryptococcal / microbiology
  • Rural Population
  • Uganda

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • chinese ink
  • Carbon