How does histology aid in detecting infectious diseases?
Histological examination can identify characteristic changes associated with infectious agents. For example, in tuberculosis, lung tissue often shows granulomas with central necrosis. In viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus infection, histology may reveal multinucleated giant cells and inclusion bodies. Special stains, like Ziehl-Neelsen stain for acid-fast bacteria or Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) stain for fungal infections, help in identifying specific pathogens in tissue samples.