Decolorized Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Decolorized and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| The gram stain shown in the photograph was prepared from a positive anaerobic blood culture bottle after 36 hours incubation. Based on the morphology of the bacterial cells (some with spores--blue arrows), the most likely identification is: | View Page |
| In a properly decolorized area, epithelial cells, red blood cells, white blood cells and most background material will stain pink or red. It is in this area that the gram stain reaction of the bacteria can be correctly interpreted. | View Page |
| Properly Decolorized Smears In a properly decolorized smear, background material and nonbacterial cells stain pink and reddish pink, respectively, as demonstrated in this slide. This field is a good example of one appropriate for microscopic examination. Note that the stained material is only one cell thick; therefore cells can easily be counted and identified. Note absence of flecks of precipitated stain. | View Page |
| Overall Procedure View control smears under oil immersion. If the control smears stained correctly, read the remainder of the smears.Look at the direct smear macroscopically to locate the stained area.Examine the direct smear under oil immersion and find an area that is properly decolorized.Examine at least ten fields in an area that is properly decolorized.Identify the following nonbacterial cell types: epithelial cells, white blood cells, red blood cells, yeast and hyphae.Look for microorganisms and record their characteristics.Quantitate each type of element found and record on the work card.Interpret the direct smear result.Report the direct smear finding.
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| The background material in a gram stained smear that has been adequately decolorized is: | View Page |