Cytologic detection of microsporidia spores in bile. A comparison of stains.
OBJECTIVE
To compare stains in preparations of bile in a patient with AIDS and microsporidial cholangitis.


METHODS
Bile was obtained from a 30-year-old male with AIDS and symptoms of cholangitis. Comparative staining of the specimen was performed using a formalin-fixed preparation stained with Chromotrope 2R stain and with alcohol-fixed preparations stained with Gram and Giemsa stain and Diff-Quik. An alcohol-fixed ThinPrep slide was stained with Papanicolaou stain.


RESULTS
Diagnostic microsporidia spores were detected under oil immersion using Papanicolaou, Chromotrope 2R, Giemsa and Gram stain. The Diff-Quik-stained preparation also revealed microsporidia but with suboptimal morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of microsporidia in bile can be achieved using several different stains routinely available to cytologists, most optimally with alcohol-fixed Papanicolaou- or Giemsa-stained preparations or with Chromotrope 2R stain, which is available in parasitology laboratories. These findings should be applicable to fluids from other body sites with this emerging pathogen in AIDS.
Joste
N E
NE
Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Sax
P E
PE
Pieciak
W S
WS
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001399:Azure Stains; D001646:Bile / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D016816:Microsporida / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016881:Microsporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D013170:Spores / Q000302:isolation & purification
D001399:Azure Stains