title: Histopathological evaluation of ocular microsporidiosis by different stains.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is limited data on comparing stains in the detection of microsporidia in corneal biopsies. Hence we wanted to evaluate various stains for their ability to detect microsporidia in corneal tissue sections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four cases diagnosed with microsporidiosis on Hematoxylin and Eosin and Periodic Acid Schiff's stained sections of the corneal button between January 2002 and December 2004, were included. Further sections were prospectively stained with calcofluor white, Gram, Giemsa, Masson's trichrome, acridine orange, Gomori's methenamine silver, Gram's chromotrope and modified acid fast stain. The stained sections were analyzed for the spore characteristics in terms of size, shape, color contrast, cell wall morphology, waist band in cytoplasm and ease of detection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All sections showed microsporidial spores as 3-5 microm, oval bodies. 1% acid fast, Gram's chromotrope and GMS stains provided a reliable diagnosis of microsporidia as diagnostic waist band could be identified and good contrast helped distinguish the spores from inflammatory debris.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the ease of performance, cost effectiveness and rapidity of the technique, 1% acid fast stain and Gram's chromotrope stain are ideal for the detection of microsporidia.
authors.affiliation: Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation, L.V.Prasad Eye Institute, L.V.Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad-500 034, India. joveeta@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Joveeta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Geeta K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Vemuganti
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Savitri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma