What Techniques are Used in Histology for Clinical Pathology?
Several techniques are employed in histology to aid clinical pathology:
Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining: This is the most commonly used stain in histology. Hematoxylin stains cell nuclei blue, while eosin stains the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink. Immunohistochemistry (IHC): This technique uses antibodies to detect specific antigens in tissues, helping to identify the presence of particular proteins that can be indicative of certain diseases. In situ hybridization (ISH): This method allows for the detection of specific DNA or RNA sequences in tissue samples, which is useful for diagnosing genetic disorders and infections. Electron microscopy: This provides a highly detailed view of the tissue’s ultrastructure, which can be critical for diagnosing conditions that affect cell organelles.
