Liquor (CSF) Staining Solution

CSF staining solution (CSF) is a mixture of acetic acid, distilled water, phenol, basic fuchsin and ethanol. It is used primarily in cytology to visualize cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and examine their characteristics.

Chemically, acetic acid and phenol combine to fix cell structures and preserve their morphology. Basic fuchsin, a triphenylmethane dye, binds to cellular proteins, especially acidic structures such as nucleic acids. The alcoholic component of the solution helps to fix and degrease cells to allow clear visualization of cell structures.

The special suitability of this staining solution lies in the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, which is examined when infections, tumors or inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system are suspected. The staining allows a detailed observation of the cell morphology and thus enables precise diagnostics and monitoring of disease progression.