Prussian Blue Stain Service: Detect Ferric Iron with Clarity and Confidence 

At iHisto, we offer Prussian Blue staining to detect ferric (Fe³⁺) iron in tissue sections with precision and clarity. This classic technique is essential for evaluating iron overload, hemosiderin deposition, and post-hemorrhagic changes in both clinical and preclinical samples.

🧪 Overview 

The Prussian Blue stain identifies ferric iron (usually stored as hemosiderin) through a chemical reaction that produces deep blue iron deposits. At iHisto, we apply a carefully calibrated protocol to deliver high-contrast results — ideal for:

• Hemochromatosis or hemosiderosis diagnosis

• Iron-related toxicity screening

• Microhemorrhage and trauma detection

• Iron accumulation mapping in organ systems

We routinely process liver, spleen, kidney, bone marrow, and CNS tissues with excellent staining reproducibility.

⚙️ How Prussian Blue Staining Works

Ferric iron reacts with potassium ferrocyanide in an acidic environment to form insoluble ferric ferrocyanide (Prussian Blue) at sites of iron deposition.

Color Results:

• Ferric iron (hemosiderin) → deep blue

• Nuclei → red or purple (via nuclear fast red or eosin)

• Background → pink

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This distinct color separation enables easy identification of iron deposits in tissue sections.

🧬 Step-by-Step Staining Process

1. Fixation & Sectioning – FFPE tissue cut at 4–5 µm

2. Deparaffinization & Hydration – Slides cleared and hydrated into water

3. Iron Reaction – Incubated with potassium ferrocyanide and hydrochloric acid

4. Counterstaining – Nuclear fast red or eosin applied for contrast

5. Dehydration & Coverslipping – Prepared for brightfield microscopy and archiving

🔬 Applications of Prussian Blue Staining

This stain is widely used across human and animal tissues to evaluate iron metabolism and bleeding.

Common use cases:

• Hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis – Iron overload in liver and spleen

• Kidney and brain pathology – Post-hemorrhagic iron deposits

• Toxicologic pathology – Iron accumulation in exposure studies

• Bone marrow and spleen – Transfusion-related iron storage

• CNS trauma research – Microhemorrhage and neuroinflammation

✅ Why Choose iHisto for Prussian Blue 

• ✅ Crisp, selective detection of ferric iron

• ✅ Validated for rodent, primate, and human tissue

• ✅ Optional pairing with reticulin, trichrome, or H&E

• ✅ Whole-slide imaging with HistoCloud delivery

• ✅ Pathologist review and quantification available

We serve hospitals, research institutions, CROs, and biotech teams with tailored iron staining protocols and fast turnaround.

❓ FAQs 

• What does the Prussian Blue stain detect?
  It detects ferric iron (Fe³⁺) in tissues, particularly in the form of hemosiderin.

• Which tissues are typically stained?
  Liver, spleen, kidney, bone marrow, and CNS are most common, especially in iron metabolism studies.

• Can I receive digital versions of my slides?
  Yes — we provide high-resolution whole-slide scans with secure cloud access or encrypted export.

• Can it be combined with other stains?
  Yes — commonly paired with reticulin or trichrome for evaluating iron-fibrosis correlation or architectural context.

📩 Request a Quote or Consultation 

Need reliable visualization of iron in tissue? iHisto’s Prussian Blue staining service delivers precise detection of ferric iron — whether you're studying metabolic disease, trauma, or therapeutic impact.

👉 Request a Quote or email info@ihist