The Term Special Stains - Essay Example

? Define the term "Special Stains" and critically evaluate their usefulness in the modern diagnostic histopathology laboratory" SPECIAL STAINS\ In a world where technological advancements are replacing traditional ways of doing things, special stains still withstand the test of time in a number of ways. Special stains are stains, which are not used routinely in laboratory. The use of special stains is estimated to have begun in 1876 after the introduction of haematoxylin and eosin in pathology (Turner 1981, p.2). Ever since, they have become an important tool in diagnosis and research of various conditions. In many hospitals, lab results provide contributes majorly to ones diagnosis. Over the past decades, special staining required personnel that were cautious and skillful in applying it. Due to the introduction and need to replace some procedures in the pathology laboratory with machines, some special stains are still in use. Special stains use in modern laboratories, have become an important diagnostic and research tool in diagnosis and management of diseases (Turner 1981, p.2) In various hospitals in the past, obtaining histopathology reports took days or weeks. In such a time, even though results may come, patient’s management would still not be accorded depending on the results due to change of clinical conditions. With few technicians in place and the increased need of histopathology specimens, special stains are believed to contribute to technical barrier (Association of American medical college 2009, p.2). On using automated modern laboratory technology, results are usually expected within hours, but on using special stains, may take days. That difference in the time laboratory results take to come out is also important in the medical field, but, is quality the same. In as much as many people would wish to replace special staining with some automated use, it still finds its use since quality of specimens prepared from them is good. However, technicians still spend an immense amount of time in preparation of tissues and will have opted for automation when presented the chance, special stains still finds its use. Special stains still find their use in the modern diagnostic histopathology laboratory since they assist in identifying microorganisms in pathological tissues. For a clinician to diagnose one to be suffering from a given disease, it is usually recommended to be backed by evidence that a given causative agent exists. An excellent example could be the diagnosis of a patient with tuberculosis. Acid fast stain is used in this case because the mycobacterium species take in the cationic dye and retain it in its mycolic acid. Identification of such organisms would have been difficult if laboratories could discard the use of special stains. Another example could be the use of Toluidine stain in identification of Helicobacter pylori. This stain generally provides contrast between the bacteria and the gastric mucosa by staining sulphonated and oxidized parts of gastric mucosa (American society for medical technology 2011, p.9). Special stains can also be used so as to create contrast in a tissue so as to allow subsequent viewing. Before immunoflourescence is done, special stains have to be placed in tissues to contrast different sections. Fluorochromes are special stains applied in tissues so as they can be viewed by the use of fluorescence microscope. Immunofluorescence methods can be used in detection of auto-antibodies in serum, for example, antinuclear antibodies, smooth muscle antibodies, and many others. It can also be able to identify renal diseases and skin diseases caused by immunoglobulin (Otto 2000, p.21). Furthermore, it can be used to identify mononuclear cell surface markers by use of monoclonal antibodies. In addition, special stains have also helped in early detection of cancerous cells, their metastases and provide a measure in which some of them could be managed. Special stains have also been applied in cytogenetic studies. An excellent example is Giemsa stain in identifying chromosomal abnormalities. In staining a tissue at metaphase, chromosomes are usually stained and appear as alternating white and black bands. Nowadays, cytogenetic studies have been improved by the use of the multi-colored fluorescence in situ hybridization that has assisted in diagnosis of certain genetic abnormalities (American society for medical technology 2011, p.10). Chromosomal abnormalities like Down’s syndrome, Klinefelter’s syndrome, and many others. Special stains can also be used in detecting nucleic acid. Today, some special stains are being used in the laboratory to distinguish DNA and RNA components of a cell. An excellent example is Ethyl Green Pyronine stain, that contains methyl green and pronin-Y, can be used to differentiate between RNA and DNA (Association of American medical college 2009, p.6). DNA is stained green blue and RNA red. Another stain, Feulgen stain can be used in detecting DNA from tissues embedded in paraffin. This stain contains potassium metabisulphite. Some special stains have also been used in identifying different components of connective tissue (Otto 2000, p.21). For example, Gomori’s one step Trichome stain distinguishes between smooth muscle fibers and collagen. Periodic Schiff-Methenamine Silver stain can be used in identifying basement membranes in renal and other tissue samples. Orcein stain can be used in identifying elastic fibers. Stains like Verhoeven stain elastic fibers specifically while Van Gienson stain collagen specifically. The use of these stains could be used to differentiate various components of connective tissue. Such stains can be used in diagnosis of connective tissues diseases like glomerulonephritis and the rest. Other special stains can be used in hematology, pigment detection, dermatopathology, bones and minerals. For example, Alizarian Red s stain can be used in detection of calcium in tissues. It does this by staining calcium complexes (American society for medical technology 2011, p.9). In hematology, Cholo-acetate esterase stain can be used in identifying neutrophils since it stains an enzyme of it. Hall’s stain can be used in staining bilirubin since it is specific to it. Other special stains in this category include Masson-Fontana stain that can be used in detecting melanin and neuro-endocrine cells, Perl’s Prussian blue stain used in checking hemosiderin in macrophages and erythroblasts in bone marrow, plus many others. In conclusion, special stains play a key role in research and diagnosis of various conditions in the laboratory. In as much special stains may be expensive, or not easily available, much of them have retained their use in the modern laboratory due to their specific functions. References American Society for medical technology 2011,’ Special stains’, American journal of medical technology, vol. 48. No. 7, pp. 8-9. Retrieved from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=pOUhAQAAMAAJ&q=journal+on+special+stains&dq=jou rnal+on+special+stains&hl=sw&ei=bRPCTvHpJNK5hAeo45T9DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA Association of American medical colleges 2009, ‘Special stains’, The journal of medical education, vol. 34, pp. 6-7. Retrieved from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=uh10AAAAIAAJ&q=The+journal+of+medical+education,&dq=The+journal+of+medical+education,&hl=sw&ei=jh3CTo6JGcnKhAemy6CMDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA Otto, Braun 2000, Dermatology, Springer, Oklahoma. Retrieved from http://books.google.co.ke/books?id=HkOty7O_KlkC&dq=special+stains&source=gbs_navlinks_s Turner, James 1981, Three dimensional ultra structures in biology, Academic press, Massachusetts. Retrieved from ahttp://books.google.co.ke/books?id=ZU0Rzt_babUC&dq=special+stains&source=gbs_navlinks_s Read More