Cytological staining compositions and uses thereof

A method of preparing a cytological preparation comprising:

• contacting a cell sample with a cytological staining composition, thereby staining cells in the cell sample, wherein the cytological staining composition comprises:
• i. a dye component comprising one or more water-soluble, pH neutral, cationic dyes;
• and
• ii. one or more hygroscopic polyols present at less than about 10% v/v of the total composition.

A method of characterizing a cytological sample comprising:

• a. contacting a cell sample with a cytological staining composition, wherein said sample is associated with a substrate, and
• b. subjecting said sample to an assay to determine the presence or absence of abnormal cells,
• wherein the cytological staining composition comprises:
• i. a dye component comprising one or more water-soluble, pH neutral, cationic dyes;
• and
• ii. one or more hygroscopic polyols present at less than about 10% v/v of the total composition.

A composition for cytology staining, comprising:

• i. Azure C;
• ii. one or more hygroscopic polyol(s), said polyol(s) present at less than about 10% v/v of the total composition;
• and optionally
• iii. water, a water-soluble solvent or water-miscible solvent, or mixtures thereof.

A composition for cytology staining, comprising:

• i. dye component consisting of Azure C;
• ii. glycerol, wherein said glycerol is present in an amount less than about 10% v/v of said composition;
• and optionally
• iii. water.