[Quadri-chromic staining in routine cutaneous histopathology (hematoxylin, eosin, saffron and astra blue)].

INTRODUCTION

The routine histologic stains used in dermatopathology are usually hematoxylin-eosin-safran. In order to stain the mucins, specific dyes are necessary. The purpose of this study was to perform a routine quadrichromic stain which included Astra blue as specific dye of mucins. The applications of this hematoxylin-eosin-safran-Astra blue stain were evaluated after 5 years of systematic use.

METHODS

The quadrichromic stain was realized by Varistain (Shandon). The time of coloration was 15 minutes for Astra blue pH 2.5, 10 minutes for hematoxylin, 45 seconds for eosin and 4 minutes for safran. A total of 56,000 samples were analyzed using the quadrichromic stain.

RESULTS

When mucin was present, it was colored in blue and the contrast with the other dyes was enhanced. Astra blue stained specifically the mucin deposits and it did not modify the other colours. The mucin deposits present in primary and secondary cutaneous mucinoses were most often visible after quadrichromic stain. Because of the variability of the mucin composition, the Astra blue did not react with all mucins. This stain was particularly useful in extramammary Paget's disease and in atrophic malignant papulosis.

CONCLUSION

This new stain was easy to perform and allowed a specific coloration of mucin deposits in many cases. The use of four colours therefore improves the results of a routine stain, with a high quality of coloration.