A simple technique for staining of platyhelminths with the lactophnol cotton blue stain.

This paper describes a simple technique for staining of flatworms using lactophenol cotton blue (lpcb). the staining was tested on 2 trematode species: heterophyes heterophyes and mesostephanus appendiculatus,and one cestode: diplopylidium acanthotetra,which were collected from the intestine of stray cats in kuwait. the specimens were mounted in a small amount of the lpcb stain on a clean slide for 2-3 minutes before covering with a cover slip. the technique rapidly and clearly differentiated the internal structures of the helminthes. its speed and simplicity are advantages over other staining methods. it is easily used in wide-scale surveys where a large number of platyhelminths have to be identified and it is suitable for field studies.