Cytologic detection of microsporidia spores in bile - A comparison of stains

OBJECTIVE: To compare stains in preparations of bile ill a patient with AID S and microsporidial cholangitis. STUDY DESIGN: Bile was obtained front a 30-year-old male with AIDS and symp toms of cholangitis. Comparative staining of the specimen was performed usi ng a formalin-fired preparation stained with Chromotrope 2R stain and with alcohol-fixed preparations stained with Gram and Giemsa stain and Diff-Quik . An alcohol-fixed ThinPrep slide was stained with Papanicolaou stain. RESULTS: Diagnostic microsporidia spores were detected under oil immersion using Papanicolaou, Chromotrope 2R, Giemsa and Grain stain. The Diff-Quik-s tained preparation also revealed microsporidia bill with suboptimal morphol ogy. CONCLUSION: Detection of microsporidia in bile can be achieved using severa l different stains routinely available to cytologists, most optimally with alcohol-fixed Papanicolaou- or Giemsa-stained preparations or with Chromotr ope 2R stain, which is available in parasitology laboratories, These findin gs should be applicable to fluids front other body sires with this emerging pathogen in AIDS.