Pathologic diagnosis of specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract / 中华病理学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find a fast and simple method for detection of specific pathogens in upper aerodigestive tract.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Special histochemical stains performed on histologic sections are useful for diagnosing specific infections in upper aerodigestive tract.</p>