2020 Volume 69 Issue 4 Pages 562-569
Background and Aim: In pathological diagnosis, Masson trichrome (MT) staining is one of the important staining methods. However, its dyeing process is complex and takes approximately 1 h. In this study, we examined a rapid method of MT staining. Methods: The dyeing process simplification, preparation of dyes, and time reduction effect of microwave (MW) were examined, and the dyeing result was compared with that of the conventional method. Results: The time of the rapid method was 1 min each for iron hematoxylin and the orange G/acid fuchsin mixture, and MW irradiation was 10 s each for phosphotungstic acid (PTA) and aniline blue (after 3 and 7 min for kidney and liver, respectively). Moreover, good staining results similar to the conventional method were obtained by the rapid method. Furthermore, to simplify the dyeing step, the steps of the first mordant, 1% hydrochloric acid alcohol, the second mordant, and 1% acetic acid aqueous solution were omitted. As a result, no decrease in staining property was observed. Conclusion: In MT staining, the simplification of the dyeing process and the reduction in time were realized. This is the shortest time among the presently reported staining methods. Time reduction was suggested to be made possible by the elimination of intermolecular competition in cytoplasmic staining and the enhancement of the mordanting effect of PTA by MW. Therefore, the rapid method can be used for clinical diagnosis by obtaining staining results equivalent to those of the conventional method.
