[Experimental study on determination of viability of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae by staining].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the viability of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae by staining. METHODS: Schistosoma japonicum cercariae were stained by 0.4% trypan blue, 0.5% methylene blue-eosin-borax (M.E.B), 0.5% eosin, 0.5% methylene blue and 0.05% neutral red, respectively, for 5 min, then they were observed under a stereoscopic microscope. RESULTS: The dead cercariae were stained in the trypan blue, M.E.B, eosin and neutral red, but unstained in the methylene blue. The vital cercariae were unstained in all the five kinds of dyes. CONCLUSION: The staining methods by using 0.4% trypan blue, 0.5%M.E.B, 0.5% eosin and 0.05% neutral red can be used to determine the viability of S. japonicum cercariae.