Negative Staining Technique of Heine for the Detection of Cryptosporidium spp.: A Fast and Simple Screening Technique

Abstract

Although inexpensive and easy to perform, the negative staining technique of Heine for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. has been largely neglected. The lack of familiarity with the negative staining technique, the misconception that a phase-contrast microscope is indispensible and inferior results due to Köhler-illumination, are possible explanations for its low popularity. While the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique is still considered the Gold Standard for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp., the negative staining technique of Heine should be reconsidered as the screening technique of first choice. Advantages of the negative staining technique of Heine over the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining are discussed.