REAGENTS

 

MIF solution for test tube staining or for fecal specimen storage

MF stock solution

Composition

-     Merthiolate tincture, 1/1000 Lilly®                         200 ml

-     Formalin 37%-40%                                                25 ml

-     Glycerol                                                                 5 ml

-     Distilled water                                                     250 ml

Mix well. Store in a sealed, brown glass bottle. The solution is stable for several months.

Lugol's 5% iodine solution

Composition

-     Iodine crystals                                                          5 g

-     Potassium iodide (KI) crystals                                  10 g

-     Distilled water                                                     100 ml

Procedure

-     Dissolve potassium iodide in 20-30 ml distilled water;

-     Slowly add iodine crystals to get a homogeneous solution;

-     Add the remaining water, mix well and filter.

-     Store in a tightly sealed brown bottle.  The solution is stable for several weeks.  

MIF working solution

Composition

-     MF stock solution                                               2.35 ml

-     Lugol's 5% iodine solution                                   0.15 ml

Immediately before use, add MF stock solution to Lugol's iodine solution, and not vice versa.   For use, see: “Microscopic examination with stains for temporary (wet mount) preparations”.