[Pathologic diagnosis of specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract]
Cheng Tian1, Hong-Gang Liu, Yu-Lan Jin
1Department of Pathology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing 100730, China.
Objective:
To find a fast and simple method for detection of specific pathogens in upper aerodigestive tract.
Methods:
Sixty-one cases of specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract encountered during a 10-year period in Beijing Tongren Hospital were retrospectively studied. Six histochemical stains, including PAS, Giemsa, Gram, methylene blue, modified Warthin-Starry and acid-fast stains were applied. The morphology of different pathogens was studied and the staining patterns were compared.
Results:
There were 23 cases of pharyngeal treponemal infection, 10 cases of short treponemal infection, 4 cases of mycobacterial infection, 4 cases of infection by rhinoscleroma bacilli, 1 case of sinonasal fungal infection, 1 case of combined infection of bacteria and Oidium albicans, 2 cases of tonsillar Actinomycetes and 16 cases of non-specific bacterial infections. Both pharyngeal treponemal infection and infection by rhinoscleroma bacilli could be detected by modified Warthin-Starry stain. As for sinonasal fungal infection, PAS, Giemsa and modified Warthin-Starry stains were useful in differentiating different types of fungi. Mycobacteria were best demonstrated by conventional acid-fast stain.
Conclusions:
Special histochemical stains performed on histologic sections are useful for diagnosing specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract.
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