A rapid method for staining inclusions of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis

Abstract

A new staining method was developed for the detection of inclusions of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis in cell cultures. Using a combination of methyl green and neutral red stains and washing at pH 5.0, inclusions were stained red while cell cytoplasm was pale pink and cell nuclei were pale green. The method was significantly better than Giemsa staining and comparable to immunofluorescence for detecting C. psittaci inclusions. Its sensitivity for detecting C. trachomatis inclusions by dark field microscopy was similar to that of Giemsa staining.