By definition, a supravital stain is used to demonstrate the in
vivo vital processes of cells that have been removed from the body.
Supravital stains (New Methylene Blue N; Brilliant Cresyl Blue) are
used in particular to stain reticulocytes for a manual retic count.
Reticulocytes are immature RBC's released early from the bone
marrow in response to anemia. Using Brilliant Cresyl Blue, the
reticulocytes will show a "reticular" (mesh-like) network of
residual rRNA that has not yet been extruded from the cell.
Any RBC can be seen on a supravital stain, supravital stains are
used to identify Heinz bodies in cases of G6PD deficiency
anemia
