What is the purpose of India Ink (nigrosin)?
It’s used for identifying the capsule of the yeast Cryptocossus neoformans. The CSF can be directly examined for capsules by adding a drop of India ink. WBC and artifacts may be mistaken for capsules.
India ink (also known as nigrosin) is a black, opaque ink that is commonly used in microscopy and other laboratory applications. The purpose of using India ink in these applications is primarily to provide a contrast between the specimen being examined and the surrounding medium or background. This allows for greater visibility and definition of the specimen, making it easier to observe and analyze.
In microscopy, India ink is often used to stain bacterial cells, since the ink particles are too large to penetrate the cell wall. The ink adheres to the surface of the cells, outlining their shape and making them more visible to the viewer. It is also commonly used in the visualization of fungal cells and spores in mycology.
In addition to microscopy, India ink has applications in other areas of science, such as in the production of negatives for printing photographs, and as a staining agent in histology for the identification of various tissues.
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