Comparative Durability of Common Stains Used for Exfoliative Vaginal Cytology

Abstract

In a study to compare the durability of commonly used stains (Giemsa, Leishman, Wright, Eosin, Nigrosin and Gentian violet) for exfoliative vaginal  cytology, vaginal smear was obtained from eleven apparently healthy West African Dwarf (WAD) female Goats and processed according to standard  technique. Scores (0-3) were given on four parameters namely background of smears, overall staining pattern, cytoplasmic staining and nuclear  staining. Quality index one (QI-I) was calculated from the ratio of score achieved to the maximum score possible (12), immediately post staining  while quality index–II (QI-II) was obtained 35 days after. Calculation for durability index (DI) was self-derived and equalled to ratio of QI-II to QI-I. The  data were presented as mean ± SEM. Multinomial logistic regression model was generated for the QI-I and QI-II using durability index as  reference category. Giemsa, Leishman and Wright stains were more durable than others with their mean DI values significantly (P < 0.05) higher  than Gentian violet, Nigrosin and Eosin.The model showed 89.2 % overall model accuracy for the multinomial logistic regression model and 81.5%  for the multinomial Bayes Naïve regression model. In conclusion, Giemsa, Leishman and Wright stains were more reliable and durable for  exfoliative vaginal cytology compared to the other stains.