The following procedure may help,

LAZCANOS ETAL COMBINED SILVER-MUCIN STAIN FOR CRYPTOCCUS NEOFORMANS

NOTES:

 This combined stain distinctively demonstrates both cell wall and capsule of most cryptococci. More organisms are identified than when each stain was used individually. The cell wall is stained dark brown to black and the capsule was stained blue.

SOLUTIONS:
1.   Methenamine Silver Solution (see Grocotts Methenemine Silver).
2.   0.2% Gold Chloride.
3.   5% Sodium Thiosulphate.
4.   3% Acetic Acid.
5.   1% Alcian Blue in 3% Acetic Acid.
6.   Kernechtrott.

 STAINING PROCEDURE:

1.   Dewax and hydrate sections.
2.   Rinse slides well in distilled water.
3.   Place in preheated Methenamine Silver Solution at 60oC for 15-30 minutes. Rinse slides in distilled water and observe if understained and check every 5 minutes.
4.   Rinse slides in distilled water.
5.   Gold Chloride  1 minute.
6.   Rinse in distilled water.
7.   Sodium Thiosulphate 1 minute.
8.   Rinse in running water.
9.   Rinse in 3% Acetic acid.
10.  Stain in Alcian Blue     20 minutes.
11.  Rinse in acetic acid.
12.  Wash in water.
13.  Counterstain in Kernechtrott  3 minutes.
14   Wash in water, dehydrate, clear and mount.

REFERENCE:

Lazcano, O., etal (1991) Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med 115:1145-1149.

NOTE:
Since Alcian Blue also stains connective tissue mucins, Mucicarmine can be used in such instances where ground substance may obscure the results.
Tony Henwood
Senior Scientist
Anatomical Pathology
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney, AUSTRALIA

http://www2.one.net.au/~henwood
http://www.pathsearch.com/homepages/TonyHenwood/default.html