Utility of PAS staining, MG staining, Pap staining, and HE staining in the diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica

Abstract

The direct smearing method or iodine method is commonly used in the diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica infection. In this study, we performed Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, May-Grünwald Giemsa (MG) staining, Papanicolaou (Pap) staining, and Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) staining in three cases of E. histolytica infection. MG staining, Pap staining, and HE staining, which are excellent for nuclear staining, were useful for the observation of the nucleoli of trophozoites, chromatin granule, cysts, and chromatoid body. It was also possible to confirm erythrocytes in the endoplasm. In the puncture of liver abscess pus, trophozoites staining reddish purple after PAS staining were confirmed. These staining methods were useful for the diagnosis of E. histolytica infection.