Accessing India ink in rural Uganda is difficult and costly. An alternative stain was sought to assist in microbiological diagnoses of cryptococcal infections in immunosuppressed patients with meningitis. Mascara proved to be an excellent and cheap alternative.
CheesbroughM. Plate 73, India ink stain showing the yeast cells. In: District Laboratory Practice in Tropical Countries, Part 2, 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
