Cryptococcus neoformans, because of its large polysaccharide capsule, can be visualized by the India Ink stain. Organisms that possess a polysaccharide capsule exhibit a halo around the cell against the black background created by the India Ink. The modified technique employs 2% chromium mercury. A small drop of CSF is placed on a clean glass slide. Then, a small drop of 2% chromium mercury is mixed with the CSF on the slide. Immediately, a small amount of India ink (Pelikan Drawing Ink) is added. Finally, the coverslip is mounted and the preparation is observed with a bright-field microscope at magnifications.

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