In a good H&E, the eosin/phloxine is supposed to be 3 shades: - RBC's/eosinophils/Paneth cells the deepest shade of pink - muscle medium shade of pink - collagen/connective tissue lightest shade of pink
Unfortunately, if the eosin and/or phloxine and/or eosin/phloxine does not have the correct concentration of the eosin, pH of eosin, time in alcohols after eosin, etc, there ends up being 2 shades of eosin, with the collagen/CT and the muscle being the same shade. Adding saffron in the HPS gives the collagen/CT a more yellowish shade. So the tissue results are: - RBC's/eosinophils/Paneth cells the deepest shade of pink - muscle medium shade of pink - collagen/connective tissue yellowish with a tinge of pink Therefore, with the HPS, it's easier to differentiate muscle from collagen/CT. But I think most pathologists can diagnose with only 2 shades of eosin. If they need to differentiate collagen/CT from muscle (cirrhosis, tumors), they either ask for a trichrome or IHC. Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS Beaumont Hospitals Royal Oak, MI 48073 -----Original Message----- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Kalleberg, Kristopher Sent: Friday, April 16, 2010 1:45 PM To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: [Histonet] hematoxylin-eosin saffron Can someone please explain to me the purpose of a hematoxylin-eosin saffron stain. Why would this be used over the normal hematoxylin and eaosin stain. Thank you in advance. Kris _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet