Which stain is typically used for bone marrow smears?

The commonly used stain for bone marrow smears is Leishman stain. This stain is favored because it provides excellent differentiation of cell types within the bone marrow, allowing for the assessment of hematopoiesis and the identification of various blood cells such as erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets. Leishman stain works effectively in revealing the morphology of these cells, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions like leukemias, anemias, and other hematological disorders.

Leishman stain is also a Romanowsky-type stain, meaning it combines eosin and methylene blue, which helps in visualizing different cellular components based on their affinity for acidic or basic dye components. The specific application of Leishman stain to bone marrow samples has made it a staple in hematology laboratories, as it reveals details that are vital for a comprehensive evaluation.

While other stains like Giemsa, Wright's, and other Romanowsky-type stains can also be used for blood films or smears, they may not provide the same level of detail necessary for bone marrow analysis compared to Leishman stain. Therefore, the choice of stain is pivotal in ensuring accurate cell morphology assessment in bone marrow examinations.