DIFF-QUIK EXPEDITED DIFFERENTIAL STAINING VS. ROUTINE TRADITIONAL LEISHMANSTAINING PROTOCOLS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS"

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:
Peripheral blood smear staining is a pivotal technique that offers critical insights into blood cell morphology and its composition. It remains an indispensable tool for diagnosing and characterizing a wide range of clinical conditions that reflects the overall state of the human body. The usual protocol followed is, on making high-quality smears and studying the details under the microscope, the diagnosis is concluded with confirmation from patient's clinical profile. Traditionally, manual examination of blood smears was standard practice, but advancements in automated digital systems now aid in streamlining this process. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of Diff-Quik staining versus the conventional Leishman stain in peripheral blood smear analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This investigation was conducted at a tertiary care academic hospital from January to March 2024, it evaluated the staining efficacy of Diff-Quik and conventional Leishman stain in peripheral blood smear. A total of 100 consecutive samples were included, irrespective of age, sex, or cell count, with haemolysed samples excluded. Each sample yielded two smears—one stained with Diff-Quik and the other with Leishman stain. Smear grading was performed using a standardized scoring system ranging from 1 to 2, based on smear preparation quality, overall smear integrity, and the ability to assess blood cell composition.

RESULTS:
Among the 100 samples analyzed, 58 were male and 42 female, with ages ranging from 6 to 78 years. Diff-Quik staining demonstrated superior differentiation of blood cell types and significantly faster staining times compared to the conventional Leishman method. Morphologically, RBCs and WBCs exhibited enhanced clarity with Diff-Quik, whereas platelet morphology and background staining were more distinct with Leishman stain.