Method and composition of matter for enhancing staining of microorganisms

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method and composition of matter for enhancing the staining of tissue or features of interest therein by applying an effective amount of a bile salt in combination with a special stain to a tissue suspected of harboring a microorganism or other feature of diagnostic interest. The particular invention herein is directed to detecting H. pylori, the microorganism responsible for gastrointestinal ulcers. The composition of matter is a sensitizer for Alcian Yellow stain.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of enhancing the staining of tissue or features of diagnostic interest therein by applying an effective amount of a bile salt in combination with a special stain to a tissue suspected of harboring a microorganism or other feature of diagnostic interest.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said bile salt is sodium desoxycholate.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said special stain is Alcian Yellow.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said microorganism is  H. pylori.    
     
     
         5 . A composition of matter comprising a bile salt in combination with a special stain.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein said bile salt is sodium desoxycholate.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein said special stain is Alcian Yellow  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein said sodium desoxycholate has at least a concentration of 0.32%.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein said sodium desoxycholate has at most a concentration of 0.64%.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 6  wherein additionally present is sodium borate decahydrate.