Histology Special Stains: Carbohydrates (Online CE Course)

(based on 238 customer ratings)

Author: Tanisha N. Neely, HT(ASCP)
Reviewer: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM

This course is the first in a series of courses that will explore special stains used in the clinical histology laboratory. Basic carbohydrate staining mechanisms and classifying carbohydrates will be discussed. The material presented details the chemistry, diagnostic application, and staining protocols for special stains used to demonstrate carbohydrates in tissue samples.

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 9/30/2026
Approved through 9/30/2026

Objectives

  • Explain basic staining mechanisms and the factors affecting dye binding.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of carbohydrate classifications and the anatomic sites where certain types of carbohydrates may be detected.
  • Identify and troubleshoot special staining methods that are routinely used in the clinical histology laboratory to demonstrate carbohydrates in tissue samples.
  • Explain the clinical/diagnostic purpose for performing special staining procedures.

Customer Ratings

(based on 238 customer ratings)

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
  • Introduction
      • Tissue Staining in the Histology Laboratory
      • Biological Stain Commission
      • Which of the following is not a function of the Biological Stain Commission (BSC)?
  • Basic Staining Mechanisms
      • What Makes a Dye?
      • Factors That Affect Dye Binding
      • Acids, Bases, pH, and Buffers
      • Basophilic and Acidophilic Staining
      • Oxidation and Reduction
      • Which of the following dye-binding factors is primarily responsible for reorganizing certain molecular structures in tissue samples so that they are m...
      • A staining solution with a pH of 5.5 would be considered:
  • Carbohydrate Classification and Tissue Detection
      • Carbohydrates
      • Classifying Carbohydrates
      • Monosaccharides
      • Polysaccharides
      • Mucopolysaccharides
      • Diagnostic Value of Demonstrating Mucopolysaccharides
      • What is the primary polysaccharide demonstrated in tissue samples via histology staining techniques?
      • What are mucopolysaccharides most often referred to as?
  • Special Staining Methods Used to Demonstrate Carbohydrates in Tissue Samples
      • Periodic Acid-Schiff: Diagnostic Applications
      • Periodic Acid-Schiff: Chemistry
      • Periodic Acid-Schiff: Staining Protocol
      • Periodic Acid-Schiff with Diastase: Diagnostic Applications
      • Periodic Acid-Schiff with Diastase: Chemistry
      • Periodic Acid-Schiff with Diastase: Staining Protocol
      • Periodic Acid-Schiff: Counterstaining with Hematoxylin
      • Periodic Acid-Schiff: Counterstaining with Fast Green
      • True or False: Glutaraldehyde is one of the recommended fixatives for tissue samples that will be subsequently stained with the periodic acid-Schiff (...
      • Place the following periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining procedure steps in order.
      • Mucicarmine: Diagnostic Applications
      • Mucicarmine: Chemistry
      • Mucicarmine: Staining Protocol
      • Place the following mucicarmine staining procedure steps in order.
      • How should mucicarmine stock solution be stored if it will be stored for an extended period of time?
      • Alcian Blue: Diagnostic Applications
      • Alcian Blue: Chemistry
      • Alcian Blue pH 1.0 Staining Protocol
      • Alcian Blue pH 2.5 Staining Protocol
      • Colloidal Iron: Diagnostic Applications
      • Colloidal Iron: Chemistry
      • Colloidal Iron: Staining Protocol
      • Appropriate Controls for Carbohydrate Staining Methods
      • Which special staining technique is most widely used to demonstrate glycogen in tissue samples?
      • What is the carminic acid that gives mucicarmine its rose-red color extracted from?
  • Using the Microwave for Special Staining Procedures
  • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Clinical laboratory histotechnologists and technicians, and other medical laboratory personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for histology and medical laboratory science students, pathology residents, and practicing pathologists.
Author Information: Tanisha N. Neely, HT(ASCP), is a global histology technical liaison for Covance Central Laboratory Services. Prior to this position, she worked in hospital laboratories in histology and microbiology departments. Ms. Neely attended Indiana University, where she earned an associate's degree in General Studies and a Certificate in Histotechnology.  She is a member of the National Society for Histotechnology and the Indiana Society for Histotechnology.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Xavier University. She has over 20 years of experience in higher education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and MLS programs.

Figure 10. Goblet cells stained with mucicarmine stain


Figure 12. Alcian blue stain at pH 1.0


Figure 3. Gallbladder stained with PAS


Figure 2. PAS fungal stain with fast green counterstain