The Papanicolaou Stain for Negri Bodies in Paraffin Sections

Abstract

Paraffin sections ot the hippocampus (Amnion's horn) from brains of dogs and cows, fixed in sublimate-alcohol (HgCl₂, sat. aq., 1 vol.; absolute alcohol, 2 vol.) were stained by Papanicolaou's (1942) method for vaginal smears. Negri bodies were stained a bright rose color, with nucleoli dark blue. Even though the orange G were omitted, good staining of Negri bodies was obtained. Eliminating this dye simplifies the technic without impairing its effectiveness in the diagnosis of rabies, but the complete staining gives a somewhat more colorful and brighter histologic picture.