Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis inclusions in McCoy and HeLa-229 cells: An alternative staining technique using toluidine blue

Abstract

Toluidine blue staining was used to detect Chlamydia trachomatis inclusions in both McCoy and HeLa-229 cells from clinical specimens. The method was more sensitive than iodine staining for detecting C trachomatis inclusions in both McCoy and HeLa-229 cells and also more sensitive than Giemsa staining for detecting chlamydial inclusions in HeLa-229 cells. While its sensitivity for detection of chlamydial inclusions in McCoy cells in equal to that of Giemsa staining, toluidine blue staining is easier and faster to perform.