Editing Staining (section)

=== Endospore ===
{{main|Endospore staining}}
[[Endospore staining]] is used to identify the presence or absence of [[endospore]]s, which make bacteria very difficult to kill.  Bacterial spores have proven to be difficult to stain as they are not permeable to aqueous dye reagents.&nbsp; Endospore staining is particularly useful for identifying endospore-forming bacterial [[pathogen]]s such as ''[[Clostridioides difficile (bacteria)|Clostridioides difficile]]''. Prior to the development of more efficient methods, this stain was performed using the Wirtz method with heat fixation and counterstain. Through the use of malachite green and a diluted ratio of carbol fuchsin, fixing bacteria in osmic acid was a great way to ensure no blending of dyes. However, newly revised staining methods have significantly decreased the time it takes to create these stains. This revision included substitution of carbol fuchsin with aqueous Safranin paired with a newly diluted 5% formula of malachite green. This new and improved composition of stains was performed in the same way as before with the use of heat fixation, rinsing, and blotting dry for later examination. Upon examination, all endospore forming bacteria will be stained green accompanied by all other cells appearing red.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Schaeffer AB, Fulton MD | title = A Simplified Method of Staining Endospores | journal = Science | volume = 77 | issue = 1990 | pages = 194 | date = February 1933 | pmid = 17741261 | doi = 10.1126/science.77.1990.194 | bibcode = 1933Sci....77..194S }}</ref>