[Detection of glomerular deposits of various renal diseases on light microscopy using periodic acid thionin [PATS]-chromotrope staining].

We devised a periodic acid thionine schiff (PATS)-chromotrope method to detect the glomerular deposits more distinctly than conventional staining methods. The PATS-chromotrope method was compared with other immunological staining methods, such as immunofluorescence method and avidin biotin complex method. Formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded renal tissues were obtained from 26 patients with IgA nephropathy, 8 with lupus nephritis, 4 with minimal change nephrotic syndrome, 3 with membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis, and 3 with hepatitis-B associated nephropathy. Thionine Schiff reagent was used instead of fuchsin-schiff reagent to stain the basement membrane blue. Subsequently, chromotrope 2R was used to stain the glomerular deposits. For immunofluorescence method, frozen renal tissues were stained with FITC-labelled anti-human IgG, IgA, C3 and fibrinogen. For avidin biotin complex method, the same sections as PATS-chromotrope method were stained with anti-human IgG, IgA, and C3. In PATS-chromotrope method, deposits were identified in 9 of 26 specimens with IgA nephropathy, 3 of 8 specimens with lupus nephritis, and one of 3 specimens with hepatitis-B associated nephropathy. Localization of deposits in PATS-chromotrope method was identified more distinctly than immunofluorescence method or avidin biotin complex method. PATS-chromotrope method is useful to detect the deposition of immune complex on routine light microscopy in human glomerular disease.