India Ink - CSF Cryptococcosis Applications

Microbiology laboratories mix 1:4 CSF:India ink observing 5-20µm yeast with wide clear capsule (95% sensitive HIV+ patients).

Rapid 2-minute wet mount confirms cryptococcal meningitis preventing amphotericin B delay in AIDS patients.

Dropper bottles prevent contamination while disposable tips eliminate carryover between patient specimens.

Capsule shrinkage differentiates from artifacts maintaining diagnostic specificity.