Unveiling the Intricacies of Peripheral Smear Preparation with Leishman Staining

Peripheral smear preparation and staining with Leishman staining is one of the common day to day test performed in all Laboratories. Leishman stain generally shows violet color of the nucleus and neutrophil granules, making the differential count convenient due to better contrast between nucleus and cytoplasm.
The blood smear examination is still required in the diagnosis based on the morphological assessment of cells such as blasts in case of leukemia, parasites such as malaria, hemolytic anemia for fragmented red blood cell (RBC), schistocytes, helmet cells, cytoplasmic granules, and many more.
Troubleshooting is an essential aspect of any laboratory technique, including peripheral smear preparation with Leishman staining.
Several issues can arise during the process that can affect the quality of the smear or staining, leading to incorrect diagnosis. For instance, inadequate spreading of blood, under or over-fixation of the smear, and over-staining or under-staining can all lead to poor quality staining.
To avoid under-staining and over-staining, it is essential to follow the recommended staining protocols and adjust the exposure time of the sample to the staining reagent appropriately. Adequate fixation of the sample before staining can also help prevent these issues. Regular quality control checks of the staining process can help identify and address any issues quickly.