Master Albert staining, the gold-standard technique for detecting Corynebacterium diphtheriae and its characteristic metachromatic granules. This definitive guide covers:
✓ Dual-Component Chemistry:
- Albert’s I (Toluidine Blue + Malachite Green): Stains granules reddish-purple
- Albert’s II (Iodine Solution): Enhances contrast and fixes the stain
✓ Clinical Applications:
- Diagnosis of pharyngeal diphtheria
- Screening during diphtheria outbreaks
- Differentiation from non-toxigenic diphtheroids
✓ Step-by-Step Protocol:
- Optimal smear preparation from throat swabs
- Precise timing for each staining step
- Common errors and troubleshooting
✓ Microscopy Interpretation:
- Positive result: Blue-green bacilli with red-brown polar granules (Babes-Ernst bodies)
- Comparison with Loeffler’s methylene blue and Gram stain results
Essential for:
- Clinical microbiologists
- Public health laboratory staff
- Medical students preparing for exams
Test your expertise with 30+ Albert staining MCQs covering:
◼️ Biochemical basis of metachromatic staining
◼️ WHO guidelines for diphtheria reporting
◼️ Differentiation of C. diphtheriae from similar organisms
◼️ Quality control measures in staining
Ideal for:
- Medical microbiology board exams (USMLE, FRCPath)
- Laboratory technician certification
- Public health outbreak investigation training
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