Neisser's Methods
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Neisser's methods refer to staining techniques developed by Neisser, primarily for staining diphtheria bacilli and gonococci. These methods were important diagnostic tools in the 1930s for identifying these bacterial pathogens.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
Neisser's Methods of staining; the most important are 1) the method for staining diphtheria bacilli and 2) the method for staining gonococci. For staining diphtheria bacilli, especially in fresh (10-24-hour) cultures, two dyes are used: to prepare the first, dissolve 0.1 g of methylene blue in 2.0 g of 96% alcohol with the addition of 100.0 g of 5% acetic acid. The second dye is a 0.2% aqueous solution of Bismarck brown. Smears are stained for 10-15 seconds in the first dye and, after rinsing in water, are stained for the same amount of time in the second dye, followed by rinsing in water. The diphtheria bacilli take on a yellow-brown hue, with two to three blue granules clearly visible inside them, mostly at the poles. This method has important diagnostic significance. - The Neisser method for staining gonococci is a special case of applying Löffler's methylene blue (see Löffler's staining methods): the corresponding smears are stained in this dye for one to two minutes; then rinsing in water. - The Neisser and Hüppe method for staining spores has less significance.
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“Neisser's Methods.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/neisser-methods/