Comparison of histologic stains in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate commonly used histologic stains used to detect Pneumocystis, including Diff-Quik (DQ), Grocott's Gomori methenamine silver (GMS), Papanicolaou, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).

STUDY

DESIGN

The study compared the ability of these stains to detect alveolar casts.

RESULTS

Although there was a slightly higher average number of casts detected with DQ, the difference between this stain and GMS was not significant. Both Papanicolaou stain and H&E showed significantly lower averages. Some differences in H&E may be related to differences in preparation.

CONCLUSION

Similar results were obtained with DQ and GMS, but DQ offered the advantage of ease of preparation, rapidity and cost-effectiveness.