What are the Applications of Methenamine Silver Stain?

Methenamine silver stain is widely used in histopathology laboratories for various diagnostic purposes, including:

Detection of fungal infections: It is particularly effective for identifying fungi such as Pneumocystis jirovecii, Aspergillus, and Candida.
Visualization of basement membranes: It is used in renal pathology to assess the integrity of glomerular basement membranes in diseases such as glomerulonephritis.
Identification of reticular fibers: It helps in demonstrating reticulin fibers in tissues like liver and lymphoid organs, which is essential for diagnosing certain cirrhosis and lymphomas.