Histology Certification Staining Methods 5

Question 1

Which staining technique is used to demonstrate Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsy sections?

Accepted Answer

Giemsa or Warthin-Starry stain

Answer

Giemsa and Warthin-Starry silver stain are both commonly used to highlight H. pylori organisms in gastric mucosa.

Question 2

What is the mechanism by which eosin stains cytoplasmic components in H&E?

Accepted Answer

Ionic attraction between the anionic dye and cationic cytoplasmic proteins

Answer

Eosin is an anionic (acidic) dye that binds electrostatically to positively charged (basic) cytoplasmic proteins and other cationic tissue components.

Question 3

Mucicarmine stain specifically highlights which organism in tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

Cryptococcus neoformans

Answer

Mucicarmine stains the thick polysaccharide capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans bright rose-red, making it a useful diagnostic stain.

Question 4

The Bielschowsky silver stain is primarily used in which pathological condition?

Accepted Answer

Neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Bielschowsky is an argentaffin silver stain used in neuropathology to demonstrate axons, neuritic plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Question 5

What is 'background staining' and how is it typically reduced in immunohistochemistry?

Accepted Answer

Nonspecific antibody binding to tissue; reduced by blocking with serum or BSA

Answer

Background staining results from nonspecific antibody binding and is minimized by pre-incubating tissue with normal serum, BSA, or commercial blocking reagents.

Histology Certification Practice Test

Histology Certification Practice Test

Histology Certification Staining Methods 5