Stains Used in Histology

Histology, the study of microscopic tissues, provides critical insights into the structure, function, and pathology of organs and tissues. To visualize cellular and extracellular components, different staining techniques have been developed.

Staining is widely used in histopathology and diagnosis, as it allows for the identification of abnormalities in cell count and structure under the microscope. By selectively coloring different components of tissues, stains enable us to differentiate and identify various cellular and extracellular components.

Routine Stain: Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E)

Among the most commonly used routine stains in histopathology, Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) stain is the gold standard. Haematoxylin, a basic dye, stains nucleic acids, especially DNA, blue. Eosin, an acidic dye, stains cytoplasmic components and extracellular matrix pink. This staining technique provides sufficient contrast to differentiate cell nuclei, cytoplasm, and connective tissue in histological sections. H & E stain is widely used to diagnose pathological conditions, such as tumors, infections, and abnormalities.

Special Stains

• Van Gieson stain
  Van Gieson stain is a selective stain used to demonstrate the connective tissue's presence and distribution within organs. The technique involves a combination of acid fuchsin and picric acid, which stain collagen fibers bright red while highlighting other cellular components.
• Toluidine blue
  Toluidine blue stain effectively highlights the presence of mast cells and basophilic granules. These components are stained metachromatically, appearing purple-blue against a pale blue background. Toluidine blue is essential for examining tissues involved in allergies, autoimmune diseases, and some tumors.
• Alcian blue
  Alcian blue is a cationic dye that selectively binds to sulfated and carboxylated acid mucins, highlighting areas rich in carbohydrates. The stain reveals the distribution of mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions related to abnormal mucin production or distribution.
• Giemsa stain
  Giemsa stain is a versatile stain that is utilized for a variety of purposes, including identifying blood parasites, visualizing chromosomes, and staining white blood cells for differential counts. The stain incorporates both acidic and basic dyes, leading to different staining patterns, such as purple/blue staining for nuclei and pink/red staining for cytoplasm.
• Reticulin stain
  Reticulin stain is employed to visualize the presence and distribution of reticulin fibers, a network of delicate collagenous fibers that form the supportive framework in organs. This stain is invaluable in various fields, such as diagnosing liver diseases, identifying fibrosis, and assessing lymph node involvement in cancers.
• Nissl stain
  Nissl stain, named after Franz Nissl, selectively stains the rough endoplasmic reticulum within neuronal cell bodies. This stain is especially useful in examining the morphology and distribution of neurons, enabling researchers to delve into the intricacies of neurological disorders.
• Orcein stain
  Orcein stain is commonly used to highlight elastic fibers within tissues. Elastic fibers appear brown-black when stained with orcein, allowing us to assess their distribution, quantity, and integrity. This stain is particularly useful in evaluating diseases affecting tissues rich in elastic fibers, such as blood vessels and lungs.
• Sudan Black B
  Sudan Black B is a lipid-specific stain often used to detect lipid droplets and fat globules in histological sections. By selectively staining these components, the stain aids in identifying lipid-filled cells, such as adipocytes in adipose tissue or lip-oblasts in liposarcomas.
• Masson's trichrome
  Masson's trichrome is one of the commonly used trichrome stains used to highlight the difference between collagen and muscle tissues like van Gieson. It is widely used to assess collagen in different pathologies, like liver cirrhosis or tumors. Three different dyes in this stain have different-sized molecules, which penetrate tissues differently. Where larger molecules can penetrate, smaller ones are displaced.
• Mallory's trichrome
  This stain also differentiates between collagen and muscle fibers. Among the three dyes, the first one is diluted acid fuchsin, the second is diluted phosphomolybdic acid and the third is a mixture of orange G, methyl blue, oxalic acid, and distilled water. At the end of the procedure, nuclei and muscle cells appear red, collagen appears blue, and erythrocytes become orange. This stain is quite common to detect changes in liver and kidney histopathological samples.
• Azan trichrome
  The Azan trichrome stain, sometimes referred to as Heidenhain's Azan Trichrome stain is also used to stain muscle and collagen. Therefore, it can be used to differentiate between muscle and collagen tissue, as well as to identify diseases such as liver disorders. It is a slightly improved version of Mallory's trichrome.
• Cason's trichrome
  Like the other trichrome stains, this stain is also used to differentiate collagen. Therefore, its applications involve the diagnosis of disorders to do with collagen abnormalities. It stains nuclei and cytoplasm red, collagen blue, and erythrocytes orange.
• PAS (Periodic acid Schiff) stain
  PAS stain selectively stains carbohydrates, particularly glycogen, and mucopolysaccharides, presenting them as magenta or pink. This stain allows for the assessment of glycogen storage diseases or conditions with abnormal carbohydrate distribution.
• Weigert's resorcin fuchsin (Weigert's Elastic) stain
  Weigert's resorcin fuchsin stain is primarily used to highlight elastic fibers, which appear dark blue-black. This stain is indispensable in analyzing elastic components in tissues, such as blood vessels, skin, and lungs.
• Wright and Wright Giemsa stain
  The Wright and Wright Giemsa stain is a combination of various dyes that enable the visualization of blood cells and parasites. This stain is valuable in evaluating both normal and abnormal blood cells, as well as detecting blood-related diseases.
• Aldehyde fuchsin
  Aldehyde fuchsin stain is used to demonstrate elastin fibers and other connective tissue components. Elastin fibers stain purple, while other tissue components assume different colors, assisting in evaluations regarding elastic fibers' morphology and distribution.

Creative Bioarray Relevant Recommendations

Creative Bioarray provides histological staining methods and related products to help our clients achieve the best dyeing purposes. We understand the importance of accurate and reliable staining techniques in histology, and our range of stains is carefully selected, ensuring optimal results for researchers and diagnosticians.

For research use only. Not for any other purpose.