title: [Use of the OTE-staining method for ultrathin sections on the example of microsporidia (Protozoa: Microsporidia)].
abstract: A novel method for staining ultrathin sections and examining organelles of taxonomic importance in microsporidian parasites was evaluated using oolong tea extract (OTE) and compared with traditional staining with uranyl acetate (UA). All basic intracellular structures of taxonomic significance were effectively stained with the OTE-staining method and additional layers of the polar filament with more clear boundaries between them were revealed. However, greater resolution and higher general contrast of several structures including membranes, layers of the envelope of mature spores, the structure of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, and nuclear chromatin were achieved with traditional UA-staining. The OTE-staining method has the advantage of being safe and preparations can be stored in light at room temperature with no loss in staining properties. However, greater staining time is required. We conclude that the OTE-staining method may be used as an alternative to traditional staining with UA with successful results.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Simakova
mesh_terms: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D016814:Microsporidia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D015388:Organelles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D033761:Spores, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D013662:Tea; C005460:uranyl acetate