Chapter 1 | Introduction to Special Stains - Dako

Introduction to Special Stains Introduction to Special Stains
Meissner’s
corpuscle
Oil gland
Sweat gland
Epidermis
Dermis
Hypodermis
Hair shaft
Arrector pili
Hair follicle
Hair root
Pacinian
corpuscle
Vein
Artery
Figure 15a. Skin stained with Elastic
stain, Dako Code AR163. In this section
Verhoeff’s hematoxylin method has been
counterstained with Van Gieson’s picrofuchsine.
The Elastic stain is based on
Verhoeff’s technique optimized for the
Artisan Staining System. Elastin fibers
and elastic lamina in histological specimens
are stained black, while remaining
tissue elements are stained as follows:
nuclei - blue/black, collagen - red, other
tissue elements - yellow.
Figure 15b. Schematic diagram of skin:
Cross-section. Dermis contains collagen
and elastin which give the skin its form,
shape and elasticity. Illustration by
Rashmil Saxena, BFA, HT(ASCP) CM .
Figure 16. Breast tissue stained with
Feulgen, Dako Code AR174. The Feulgen
stain is used to demonstrate DNA in
tissue sections. RNA is not stained
by this procedure. The DNA is stained
magenta with Schiff’s reagent. The stained
DNA is contrasted against a light green
counterstain to allow better visualization
by light microscopy or image analysis.
Figure 17. Amyloid stained with Congo
Red, Dako Code AR161. The Congo
Red stain is used to detect amyloid, an
abnormal protein product that can be
found in various pathologic conditions.
This stain is based on Benhold’s and
demonstrates amyloid in pink to dark
salmon with light microscopy or the
characteristic “apple-green birefringence’’
with polarized light. Mayer’s hematoxylin
is used as a counterstain. The preferred
method for visualization of amyloid is
under polarized light.
18 | special stains and H & e special stains and H & e | 19