Field stain is a histological method for staining haematological specimens and more particularly blood smears. This staining is used in the diagnosis of malaria.

Field Stain is a version of Romanowsky Staining such as Giemsa Staining or Leishman Staining.

Field stain is a good method for staining thick smears, but is not suitable for thin smears. However, this coloration has the remarkable advantage of being extremely fast (the smear can be colored in 1 minute).

The principle of Field's stain is based on 2 steps:

Eosin Y and methylene blue specifically stain basophilic and acidophilic cellular elements. Methylene blue is a basic dye that stains acidophilic elements and Eosin Y is an acid dye that colors basophilic elements.