Basic Staining Methods

Basic staining methods (also overview staining methods) are performed in order to highlight nearly all structures. Basic staining methods are usually based on one basic dye and one or two acidic dyes. Structures which are stained mainly basic dyes are called basophilic. Structures which are stained mainly by acidic dyes are called acidophilic or eosinophilic.

Results of basic staining methods (schematic)

Staining method	Nuclei	Cytoplasm	Collagen fibers	Muscle tissue	Red blood cells
H&E	blue to magenta	pink to red	red	red	red
yellow trichrome	blue to magenta	pink to red	yellow	red	red
green trichrome	brown	yellow	green	red	orange
blue trichrome	brown	pink to red	blue	red	red
AZAN	red	pink to red	blue	red	red
Weigert - van Gieson	brown to black	yellow	red	yellow	yellow