SPECIAL STAINS. PART 6

Question 1

What is toluidine blue

Answer 1

is a polychromatic
dye that can absorb different colors
depending on how it binds chemically
with various tissue components.

Question 2

What does toluidine blue stains

Answer 2

selectively stains acidic tissue components.

Question 3

What does toluidine blue has high affinity for?

Answer 3

It has a specific affinity for nucleic acids

Question 4

As a result for toluidine blue having a high affinity for nucleic acids what will it be binding to?

Answer 4

Binds to nuclear material of tissues with a high DNA
and RNA content.

Question 5

Explain the general principles of toluidine blue

Answer 5

TB stains tissues via the phenomenon of metachromasia. Many dyes can show metachromasia, but the thiazine group dyes (such as TB) are especially good for this type of staining. This phenomenon refers to how a dye stains tissue components a different color from the dye solution and the rest of the tissue. In the case of TB, this strong, acidophilic, blue dye stains nuclei dark blue, but will stain mast cell granules and polysaccharides violet. One advantage of using TB is that it is a relatively simple stain to perform, and the
staining process is much quicker than that of routine H&E-staining

Question 6

What is the advantage of toluidine blue (TB)

Answer 6

One advantage of using TB is that it is a relatively simple stain to perform, and the staining process is much quicker than that of routine H&E-staining

Question 7

What staining results will be observed in toluidine blue staining

Answer 7

nuclei dark blue, but will stain mast cell granules
and polysaccharides violet.

Question 8

Which situations is toluidine blue be used

Answer 8

1. cancers
2. allergic inflammatory diseases
3. gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome.
4. It can be used as part of the screening process for certain
   cancers, such as oral cancer

Question 9

Why is toluidine blue used in diagnosis of cancer

Answer 9

Because it binds the DNA of dividing cells,
precancerous and cancerous cells take up more of the dye than normal cells.

Question 10

How can toluidine blue be used in forensic medical examinations.

Answer 10

Used in sexual assault forensic medical examinations.
Because the dye is preferentially taken-up by injured cells, it can be used to identify damaged tissue in the genital tract