Polychrome Stains for High Resolution Light Microscopy

Abstract

Plastic embedding of tissue is a procedure that has been recently introduced in routine histopathology. Epoxy embedding produces the optimal preservation of tissues for light microscopy, but routine acid stains on epoxy sections are difficult to perform. Basic polychromatic stains are used instead. In this article a single polychrome stain (toluidine blue) is compared with a multiple polychrome stain (toluidine blue and basic fuchsin) in nondeplasticized, osmicated epoxy sections. Since the multiple polychrome stains obviate the need for most routine special stains, these polychrome stains appear to be more practical for routine high resolution light microscopy.