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methenamine-silver stain
Indications:
1) detection of Pneumocystis carinii & fungi: (Groscott-Gomori's methamine-silver) modification in which sections are pretreated with chromic acid prior to addition of methenamine-silver
2) identification of argentaffin cells; used in combination with gold chloride, sodium thiosulfate & safranin
3) urates: warm sections are treated directly with hot methemanine-sliver
4) melanin
Laboratory:
1) cell wall of Pneumocystis & fungi appear brown-black against a green background
2) argentaffin granules appear brown-black against a green background
3) urates appear black
4) melanin reduces silver nitrate -> black precipitate
Specific
microscopic observation in tissue by methenamine silver stain
General
microbiologic stain
tissue stain
References
- Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed.
Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 490
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995