I neglegted to mention we also use the Steiner & Steiner silver stain, which
is more reliable than a gram, but also more difficult to interpret.

-----Original Message-----
From: Morken, Tim 
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 12:15 PM
To: 'Hoye, Glenda F. (Fka Hood)'; 'Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: RE: anthrax


We use a gram stain (anthrax is gram+), although in tissue from this event
staining has been variable. For specific detection we cell wall and cell
capsule antibodies developed by the CDC and the US Army Research Institute
for Infectious Disease (USAMRIID). As far as I know these antibodies are not
availble commercially. 

Tim Morken
CDC, Atlanta

-----Original Message-----
From: Hoye, Glenda F. (Fka Hood) [mailto:ghoye@iupui.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 10:38 AM
To: 'Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: anthrax


Forgive me if this topic has already been discussed 'ad nauseum' when I was
logged off histonet last week, but I was wondering if there are specific
histologic stains to detect the anthrax bacillus in tissues? The pictures
they show on TV look like gram stains, but I'm sure those may be smears. Are
the Gram modifications done in histo the most effective ones at
demonstrating it in tissue? Or is this an organism that isn't readily
demonstrated in tissue? Any discussion, OR direction to the archives to look
at previous discussions, would be appreciated.

Thanks, 
Glenda Hoye