There are wide varieties of special stains to demonstrate pathologic processes. They generally employee a dye or chemical which has an affinity for the particular tissue component to be demonstrated. Special Stains available include:
|
Stain Name
|
Application
|
Image
|
|
AFB
|
identifies acid-fast bacteria
|
|
|
Alcian Blue
|
sulfated mucosubstance
glycoproteins
|
|
|
Congo Red
|
amyloid
|
|
|
Fontana
|
melanin
|
|
|
Giemsa
|
mast cells
bacteria
parasites
|
|
|
GMS
|
fungus
bacteria
|
|
|
Gram
|
gram positive bacteria
gram negative bacteria
|
|
|
Iron
|
ferric iron in tissues
|
|
|
Mucin
|
acid mucopolysaccharides
|
|
|
Oil Red O
|
fats
|
|
|
PAS
|
glycogen
mucin
fungus
|
|
|
Retic
|
reticulin fibers
|
|
|
Trichrome
|
muscle
cytoplasm
collagen
|
|
|
Verhoeff EVG
|
elastic fibers
|
|
|
Von Kossa
|
calcium
|
|
|
Warthin Starry
|
spirochetes
other microorganisms
|
|
|
Wright's Giemsa
|
cellular elements in blood smears
|
|
