A Modified Warthin-Starry Procedure at Low PH for Melanin

Overview

Journal Am J Clin Pathol

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Pathology

Date 1980 Jun 1

PMID 6156596

Citations 4

Authors

R L Warkel

L G Luna

E B HELWIG

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The Warthin-Starry argyrophilic silver stain peformed at pH 3.2 is a highly effective method for the demonstration of melanin in tissue sections. Eighty-five melanocytic tumors were studied using the Warthin-Starry and the Fontana-Masson procedures. The Warthin-Starry technic stained a greater number of cells in 68% of the tumors, with no loss of cellular detail. Twenty-three per cent of the tumors that appeared amelanotic on hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained sections were positive for melanin with the Warthin-Starry stain, but negative with the Fontana-Masson technic. The Warthin-Starry stain is more sensitive and specific for melanin than is the Fontana-Masson procedure.

Citing Articles

Effect of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 on Melanocyte Proliferation in Tissue-Engineered Skin Substitutes.

Ferland K, Magne B, De Koninck H, Barbier M, Larouche D, Germain L Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(4).

PMID: 40004167 PMC: 11855325. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26041704.

Fractional Sunburn Threshold UVR Doses Generate Equivalent Vitamin D and DNA Damage in Skin Types I-VI but with Epidermal DNA Damage Gradient Correlated to Skin Darkness.

Shih B, Farrar M, Cooke M, Osman J, Langton A, Kift R J Invest Dermatol. 2018; 138(10):2244-2252.

PMID: 29730334 PMC: 6158343. DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.04.015.

New, special stain for histopathological diagnosis of cryptococcosis.

Kwon-Chung K, HILL W, Bennett J J Clin Microbiol. 1981; 13(2):383-7.

PMID: 6162857 PMC: 273793. DOI: 10.1128/jcm.13.2.383-387.1981.

Metastases of malignant melanoma simulating soft tissue sarcoma. A clinico-pathological, light- and electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study of 21 cases.

Lodding P, Kindblom L, Angervall L Virchows Arch A Pathol Anat Histopathol. 1990; 417(5):377-88.

PMID: 2173252 DOI: 10.1007/BF01606026.

Morphology of Borrelia burgdorferi: structural patterns of cultured borreliae in relation to staining methods.

Aberer E, Duray P J Clin Microbiol. 1991; 29(4):764-72.

PMID: 1716264 PMC: 269867. DOI: 10.1128/jcm.29.4.764-772.1991.