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During the staining of sputum smear of a patient with suspected croupous pneumonia the following reactives and stainers were used: gentian violet solution, Lugol's solution, 960 spiritus and water fuchsin. What method of staining is used in this case?

  • A. Leffler's
  • B. Gram's
  • C. Ziehl-Neelsen's
  • D. Neisser's
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gram's staining method. The rationale for this is as follows: Gentian violet and Lugol's solution are used as primary and mordant stains in the Gram's staining method. Spiritus 960 is used as a decolorizer, and water fuchsin is used as a counterstain. This staining method is commonly used in microbiology to differentiate bacteria into Gram-positive and Gram-negative based on their cell wall characteristics.

A: Leffler's staining method is used for the identification of diphtheria bacilli.
C: Ziehl-Neelsen's staining method is used for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
D: Neisser's staining method is used for the identification of Neisseria species.

In summary, the use of specific reactives and stainers in the question indicates the application of the Gram's staining method for bacterial differentiation.