Identification of dense deposit disease: a report for the International Study of Kidney Diseases in Children.

The fluorescent dye thioflavin T stains intensely the deposits in dense deposit disease and can be used for identification purposes. Comparison of thioflavin T staining with electron microscopy was carried out in 25 patients and showed excellent congruity. Thioflavin T is much easier to use, but is less specific than electron microscopy. Cases of light chain disease and of some gammopathies can be a source of confusion. In nearly all other instances, the pattern of staining helps to differentiate dense deposits from other types of deposits and from amyloid.