Understanding Special Stains in Histology: A Guide for Researchers

Histological section of the intestine stained with H&E, showcasing a coiled "Swiss roll" appearance. Click the image to view Whole Slide Scanning.

What Are Special Stains in Histology?

In histology, special stains go beyond routine Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining to highlight specific tissue components such as carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, mucins, and microorganisms. These targeted techniques are essential for identifying particular structures or abnormalities, making them indispensable in diagnostic pathology, toxicology studies, and biomedical research.

iHisto offers an extensive menu of validated special stains to meet a wide range of research and diagnostic needs.

Why Use Special Stains?

• Target specificity – Identify tissue features not visible with routine stains

• Research depth – Reveal biochemical or structural properties

• Diagnostic value – Aid in identifying diseases, infections, or storage disorders

Whether you're studying fibrosis, neurodegeneration, or tumor microenvironments, the right stain enhances clarity and interpretability.

Histological section displaying PAS-D staining, highlighting glycogen storage within liver cells, seen as magenta granules against a purple and blue cellular matrix. Click the image to view Whole Slide Scanning.

Our Special Stains and Their Applications.

Table: Summary of Special Stains Offered by iHisto

Stain	Targets / Highlights	Appearance	Common Applications
Alcian Blue	Acidic mucins	Blue	GI pathology, mucin-producing tumors
Alcian Blue-PAS	Acidic + neutral mucins	Blue (acidic) / Magenta (neutral)	Mucin differentiation, colorectal cancer
Colloidal Iron	Acid mucopolysaccharides	Blue-green	Goblet cell mucins, connective tissue mucins
Copper Stain	Copper deposits	Reddish-brown	Wilson's disease, liver copper accumulation
Cresyl Echt Violet	Nissl substances (neuronal RNA)	Purple	Neuropathology, CNS tissue
GMS Stain	Fungi, basement membranes	Black (fungi), green background	Fungal infections, Pneumocystis pneumonia
GRAM Stain (paraffin tissue)	Gram-positive and negative bacteria	Purple (G+), pink/red (G-)	Bacterial classification in tissue
Golgi Stain	Neurons and dendrites	Black on yellow/brown background	Neural morphology studies
H&E Staining	General histology	Nuclei: blue/purple; cytoplasm: pink	Routine tissue structure evaluation
Luxol Fast Blue	Myelin	Blue	Demyelinating diseases, CNS pathology
Masson's Trichrome	Collagen, muscle, cytoplasm	Collagen: blue/green; muscle: red	Fibrosis, liver, muscle studies
Movat Pentachrome	Multiple connective tissue components	Multicolored	Cardiovascular pathology, connective tissue studies
Mucicarmine Stain	Epithelial mucins	Deep rose to red	Adenocarcinomas, mucinous tumors
Oil Red O (frozen only)	Neutral lipids	Red	Fatty liver, metabolic disease (frozen sections only)
PAS Stain	Polysaccharides, basement membranes	Magenta	Kidney, liver, fungal detection
PAS-D (Diastase)	Glycogen digestion (control for PAS)	Magenta (with glycogen removed)	Glycogen storage disorders
Picro-Sirius Red	Collagen (Type I & III)	Red (polarized birefringence)	Fibrosis quantification
Prussian Blue	Ferric iron	Blue	Hemochromatosis, iron overload
Safranin O	Cartilage, nuclei	Cartilage: red; nuclei: black	Osteoarthritis, cartilage studies
Toluidine Blue	Mast cells, cartilage	Purple-blue (metachromatic)	Mast cell tumors, nerve tissue
TRAP Staining	Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase	Red	Osteoclast activity, bone resorption
Verhoeff Van Gieson	Elastic fibers	Elastic: black; collagen: red	Vascular pathology, elastin studies

A detailed view of brain tissue stained using the Golgi method, highlighting the intricate network of neurons and their connections. Click the image to view Whole Slide Scanning.

How to Choose the Right Special Stain?

Choosing the right special stain depends on your research question, tissue type, and target component. Here's a quick guide:

• Fibrosis or collagen detection → Masson’s Trichrome, Picro-Sirius Red

• Mucin analysis → Alcian Blue, PAS, Alcian Blue-PAS, Mucicarmine

• Fungal or bacterial ID → GMS, GRAM Stain

• Lipid detection → Oil Red O (requires frozen tissue)

• Mineral accumulation → Prussian Blue (iron), Copper Stain

• Nervous system tissues → Cresyl Echt Violet, Luxol Fast Blue

• Apoptosis detection → TUNEL (offered separately under IHC)

  
  

Need help deciding? Our expert team is here to guide you.

Why Work with iHisto

At iHisto, we combine speed, precision, and affordability to support your research without compromise. Our special stain services are designed for scientists who need reliable results, fast turnaround, and consistent quality — all at a competitive price.

• ⚡ Fast Turnaround – Most special stain requests are completed within 24–48 hours

• 💰 Affordable Pricing – Transparent quotes and cost-effective solutions for every lab size

• 🧪 High Quality – Validated protocols, reproducible results, and expert-reviewed slides

• 🧑‍⚕️ Pathologist Review Available – Board-certified DVM and MD pathologists on request

• 💻 Digital Imaging – Optional slide scanning and AI-powered quantitative analysis

Whether you're running preclinical studies or exploratory research, iHisto is your dependable partner for special staining services that deliver.

Microscopic view of a liver tissue section stained with Picro-Sirius Red, highlighting collagen fibers in red and other tissue components in yellow, used to assess fibrosis. Click the image to view Whole Slide Scanning.

FAQ

What are special stains in histology?

Special stains are advanced histological techniques used to highlight specific tissue components such as carbohydrates, lipids, connective tissues, or microorganisms. These stains go beyond routine H&E staining to provide deeper insights for research and diagnostics.

Why are special stains important in research?

Special stains help researchers identify specific tissue features or molecular components that cannot be visualized with standard H&E. This is critical for studying disease progression, validating biomarkers, and supporting drug development.

What are some common special stains offered by iHisto?

iHisto offers a wide range of special stains including PAS, Alcian Blue, Masson’s Trichrome, Oil Red O, Prussian Blue, GMS, and many others tailored for research needs in fibrosis, infection, lipid studies, and more.

How do I choose the right special stain for my study?

The choice depends on the target tissue component or disease process. For example, use Masson’s Trichrome for fibrosis, PAS for glycogen or mucins, or Oil Red O for lipid detection. iHisto’s team can assist in selecting the most appropriate stain.

Can iHisto perform custom or uncommon special stains?

Yes, iHisto supports custom special staining protocols upon request. Researchers can submit specific protocols or staining needs, and our lab will assess feasibility and optimize accordingly.

Explore Our Special Staining Services

Click here to view our full range of histology and special stains.

Need Help or Ready to Submit Samples?

Contact us to get expert guidance on sample prep, stain selection, and pricing. iHisto is your partner for high-quality histological results you can trust.