Todayβs special stain is ππ¨π§π π¨ π«ππ!
ππ‘ππ π’π¬ π ππ¨π§π π¨ π«ππ π¬πππ’π§?
Congo red is used to stain ππ¦π²π₯π¨π’π, which is an abnormally folded protein that can accumulate in tissues. This protein takes up a lot of space in the tissue, potentially resulting in organ damage. Interestingly, Congo red gives amyloid a ππ’π«πππ«π’π§π ππ§ππ, which means that it reflects π©π¨π₯ππ«π’π³ππ π₯π’π π‘π (light moving in one direction) differently than it reflects a typical light source that sends light in all directions. With a Congo red stain, amyloid has an ππ©π©π₯π π π«πππ§ colour under polarized light. Weird!
This image is a case of ππ¦π²π₯π¨π’ππ¨π¬π’π¬ (accumulation of amyloid) in the tongue of a dog. Here you can see the apple green colour of amyloid under polarized light!
Photo Β© University of Calgary Diagnostic Services Unit.
