DEMONSTRATION OF FUNGI BY PERIODIC ACID-SCHIFF STAIN IN PULMONARY GRANULOMAS

Abstract

The periodic acid—Schiff stain is one of the most valuable methods now available for the demonstration of fungi in tissue.¹ In our hands this method has proved superior to the routine hematoxylin and eosin stain for this purpose, and on more than a few occasions it has permitted us to demonstrate the presence of pathogenic fungi that were invisible in routine sections. Because of the failure of this staining method to win widespread acceptance, we are prompted to cite additional instances in which a correct diagnosis was not made until the periodic acid—Schiff stain was used. We are convinced that wider use of this method in the study of bacteriologically negative tuberculomas and nonspecific pulmonary granulomas will result in an increase in frequency of identification of the deep mycoses. The development and the various applications of the periodic acid—Schiff stain have been described in detail by Gomori.² The