[Experimental study on quick determination of viability of Oncomelania hupensis by staining].

Objective: To find out a quick, simple and convenient method of determining the viability of Oncomelania hupensis.

Methods: O. hupensis snails were stained for 30 minutes by 0.05% water soluble dye neutral red, 0.5% methylene blue, red ink, methylene blue-eosin-borax (MEB) and 0.4% trypan blue, respectively. The soft tissue samples of the snails were observed by a stereoscopic microscope after crushing their shells.

Results: The vital snails were stained and the dead were unstained in the neutral red. The vital and dead snails were unstained in methylene blue. However, the vital and dead snails were stained in red ink. The partial vital and dead snails were stained in MEB. The vital snails were stained and the partial dead were stained in trypan blue.

Conclusion: The use of 0.05% water soluble dye neutral red is simple, rapid and accurate in determination of the viability of O. hupensis.