Hematoxylin and Eosin stain (H&E)
General: The H&E stain is almost universally used as the tissue stain of choice upon which most histologic interpretations are made. It is essentially unheard of for a practicing pathologist to not obtain at least one H&E stain on every block that is cut to produce slides. The hematoxylin component is derived from the bark of a Mexican tree (Haematoxylon campechianum), fortunately fast-growing. It is processed into a purple dye which serves primarily as a nuclear stain. The eosin component is an anionic xanthene dye produced from the action of bromine on fluorescein, is pink-red, and primarily stains cytoplasmic components.
On the up side, it has been used almost since the dawn of the regular use of diagnostic histology and thus interpretation of it is very widely known, taught, and used in the examination of research material for publication. On the down side, its use is very resistant to change despite clearly being non-comprehensive in what it can show.
Use of any stain or technique above and beyond the standard H&E stain on formalin fixed tissue is loosely referred to as a "special" technique or stain.
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