Description and Obtaining of Mucicarmine Dye - Research Paper Example

Mucicarmine Mucicarmine Q and Obtaining of Mucicarmine Dye Mucicarmine dye finds use in staining of mucin cells for visualization histologically. Though the use of the dye declined relatively, mucicarmine is still a reliable and effective dye used in cancer diagnosis. The dye is more effective in to staining mucins that have lower pH values, majorly those found in the stomach and the intestines (Myers, 2009). Mucicarmine dye is also applicable in the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans. The target molecule for the dye in cancer diagnosis is Mucopolysachrides located in tissue sections. During staining in the process of identifying carcinoma, mucicarmine usually turn red for positive results. The end red color observed results from the combination of carminic acid and positively charged aluminium ions. The complex is the vital component of the dye that makes it feasible for use in tumor identification and subsequent cancer diagnosis in biochemical laboratories (Gupta et al., 2012). The cations in the complex are responsible for the final positive charge that characterizes the complex. Positive charge of the dye, a result of the complex formed between the carmic acid and ions of aluminium is the property that allows for its effective utilization in cancer diagnosis. Therefore, this explains the selectivity of the dye towards the negatively charged gastrointestinal mucins during staining (Myers, 2009). The most important component of the mucicarmine, carmic acid originates from cochineal group of insects. Specifically, scientists perform extraction of carmic acid from the female members of the genus Coccus cacti. Solvent extraction, which entails a series of stages, remains performed on the dried body parts of the female insects. The pigments contained in the bodies of the insects are varied but carmic acid remains the point of interest throughout the process. Dried insects are ground in a mortar; a specific amount of the powder is mixed in a methanol-water medium. The mixture is blended to form a homogenous solution. Solvent extraction in vessel containing selector water at about 80 0C follows blending. Q 2 Special Stain that Utilizes Mucicarmine Mayer’s is a special stain that incorporates mucicarmine in its mode of action. The stain is usually alkaline due to the excess positive charges that result from the aluminium cations contained in the carmic acid and aluminium complex. The stain is more effective on the mucins, which are acidic due to excesses of negative charges. Mayer’s stain is very effective as positive charges attract negative charges causing excellent visualization of the target cells. Mayer’s mucicarmine staining technique identifies capsules of the fungi originating from the genus Cryptococcus neoformans and mucins. The former mainly occur in the lungs and central nervous system in patients experiencing a relatively suppressed immunity. People with uncompromised immune system seldom suffer from infection by the fungus. The capsules of the microorganism turn bright red for a positive test. Apart from the fungus, Mayer’s mucicarmine staining use in the staining of mucus during cancer diagnosis is possible.) Q 3 Diagnostic applications of Mucicarmine Stain Mucicarmine stain’s use in cancer diagnosis produces reliable results. The dye is specific for certain types of cancer based on the type and nature of the tissue under investigation. It is vital to apply different methods during cancer diagnosis ads this helps to limit the cases of misdiagnosis. Mucicarmine is specifically attracted to those tissues that produce mucus, which is the prime target of the dye in case the diagnosis is purely for cancer. Exposure of mucus to the stain, for a positive test, there is a bright red color at the end. Mucopolysachhrides contained in the mucus combine with the dye to give the bright red color observed in situation of positive tests. The dye differentiates adenocarcinomas from the stain is therefore an important tool to pathologists who specialize in diagnosis of particular case of cancer. Prior to staining, the tissues must be prepared using various methods depending on the pathologists’ preference and the nature of the tissues. Mucicarmine stain use to diagnose adenocarcinoma and mesothelial cells that are prone to reaction is a success. Researchers perform the procedure in fluid cytology. For evaluation of the use of mucicarmine stain in cancer diagnosis, other stains find use in concert with the carmine dye. Objective is to distinguish adenocarcinoma and swelling in fluid cytology. Different sets effusion fluid blocks fixed in formalin and embedding done in paraffin derived from patients suffering from metastatic adenocarcinoma. The other set of blocks come from patients with cases of effusion of benign in mucicarmine stain in addition to antibodies, antigens and calretinin. A greater percentage of staining becomes promiscuous in antigens and mucicarmine. Adenocarcinoma gives a negative result in calretinin. For benign cases, mucicarmine test is negative. In benign cases, epithelial cells are usually scattered resulting in weak adherence to the antigens. For the test to be positive, the epithelial cells must be clustered or very near each to mount attraction to the antigen. The establishments of the epithelial cells are highly attractive to the adenocarcinoma. To achieve a relatively higher positivity in staining for adenocarcinoma, combining different makers is vital. For instance, in this case calretinin indicated negative test. The utilization of a variety stains and limited negative stains advances the level of specificity. The technique is handy in identification of carcinoma using the fluid cytology. Mucicarmine application is in the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma is common among most pathologist due to its accuracy and on point results. Mucicarmine has utilization in cancer patients to investigate other microbial infections in patients suffering from cancer. Investigations indicate those cancer patients remains exposed to infections from microorganisms, especially fungi. The infections usually emanate from reduced immunity to such pathogens because of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy affects adversely the immunity of a patient. Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy are therefore at a greater risk to fungal infections. In addition to the fungal infections, cancer patients can also contact other infectious diseases (American Cancer Society, 2013). Such diseases manifest themselves as lumps. The lumps may be confused with the mucus hence lead to misdiagnosis and subsequently administration of wrong medication. It is in such cases that pathologists resort to mucicarmine staining followed by histochemical tests to accurately determine and identify the origin and cause of the mucus. References American Cancer Society. (January 29, 2013). Testing Biopsy and Cytology Specimens for Cancer. Web. January 30, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/testingbiopsyandcytologyspecimensforcancer/testing-biopsy-and-cytology-specimens-for-cancer-special-studies Gupta, V. K., Tuohy, M. G., Ayyachamy, M., Turner, K. M., & ODonovan, A. (2013). Laboratory protocols in fungal biology: Current methods in fungal biology. New York : Springer. Kaspar, H. G., & Crum, C. P. (2015). The Utility of Immunohistochemistry in the Differential Diagnosis of Gynecologic Disorders. Archives Of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 139(1), 39-54. doi:10.5858/arpa.2014-0057-RA Myers, Russell. (October 1, 2009). Special Stain Techniques for the Evaluation of Mucins. Leica Biosystems. Web. January 30, 2015. Retrieved from http://www.leicabiosystems.com/pathologyleaders/special-stain-techniques-for-the-evaluation-of-mucins/ Read More