[Histonet] GMS better than PAS for Fungi

[Tony Henwood (SCHN)]

Thought that the subject title should be changed.
(References available on request)

No,
Using Periodic acid instead of chromic acid just gives you a PASM. 
Pseudo-fungi are PAS Positive but classic GMS (using chromic acid) negative.
The literature is quite confusing on pseudo-fungi. Some say that they are GMS positive whereas other claim they are GMS negative. 
My own experience is that they are GMS (using chromic acid) negative. 
It is possible that our pathologists aren't aware that the "GMS" that their lab does might be using Periodic acid instead of Chromic acid. 
Commercial kits (eg Sigma and Richard-Allan) use periodic acid instead of chromic acid.
The literature often does not report the exact GMS used which makes clear understanding of the histochemical results difficult.

Pneumocystis will not be easy to see unless chromic acid is used (the mucin stains strongly PAS (and hence PASM) positive obscuring the small microorganisms).

Using PAS, Old fungi, Mucor, Actinomyces and Nocordia do not stain well whereas they stain quite well with GMS.


Regards
Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC), FFSc(RCPA) Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist, the Children's Hospital at Westmead Adjunct Fellow, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney
Tel: 612 9845 3306
Fax: 612 9845 3318
Pathology Department
the children's hospital at westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Terri Braud
Sent: Thursday, 5 June 2014 5:58 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Acid Clean Glassware

Chromic acid does a nifty job of removing metal deposits on glassware, but so do many commercial lab detergents.
Chromic acid is the oxidizer for the fungus in the GMS stain.  Go one better and get rid of Chromic Acid out of your lab.  It is probably one of the more toxic / nasty chemicals in your department.  Instead, try Churukian's Ammoniacal Silver for Fungus in the microwave.  It is a much simpler, faster, prettier stain.  It uses Periodic Acid as the oxidizer and does not stain the elastic fibers like a regular GMS.  Both you and your pathologists will love it, I promise.

Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Holy Redeemer Hospital Laboratory
1648 Huntingdon Pike
Meadowbrook, PA 19046
Ph: 215-938-3676
Fax: 215-938-3874
Today's Topics:

   1. Acid Cleaned glassware (Abbott, Tanya)
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