Sudan stains highlight fats in samples like blood or feces using a family of dyes. Pathologists use them to identify the presence and estimate the concentration of fats in a sample, and different dyes are available for different types of fats. They are used in medical tests and can indicate malabsorption or pancreatic disorders. Pathology textbooks and laboratory reference guides include images of different types of Sudan stain tests to help identify findings.
A Sudan stain highlights fats present in a sample such as blood or feces. The test uses a family of dyes known as Sudan dyes that attach to fats when applied to a microscope slide. Several dyes are available for medical tests, allowing healthcare professionals to select the most appropriate for a given sample. The same dyes are also used in the manufacture of some products.
Staining is a common practice for pathologists and other healthcare professionals who want to evaluate specimens as effectively and reliably as possible. They use blots to highlight certain structures in a sample or to label specific compounds. In some cases, a spot reveals the presence of something that shouldn’t be there, while in other cases, spots make it easier to find specific phenomena of interest in a sample. In the case of a Sudan stain, the goal is to highlight any fats present with the dye to allow the pathologist to identify its presence and estimate its concentrations.
These dyes are lysochromic, which means they stick to and color fats when added to a sample. Some Sudan dyes are indiscriminate and can work on different types of fats. Others are more focused and can highlight a particular fat, such as a triglyceride. Pathologists evaluating a specimen must consider their options when selecting a dye for testing, to determine the best option. This may depend on why a Sudan stain was ordered and what the pathologist expects to find in the test.
Fecal Sudan stain tests are used to check for signs of steatorrhea or fat in the stool. This may indicate that a patient has a malabsorption problem or a pancreatic disorder. The test can also be used with blood samples in patients with suspected blood disorders. The technician performing a Sudan stain can note the dye used and the results, including a positive or negative indicator of the presence of fat and what types of fat were found. This is a qualitative test only, not providing hard measurements, although the technician can offer information on the apparent concentrations in the sample.
Pathology textbooks and laboratory reference guides may include images of different types of Sudan stain tests. These can help technicians identify findings of interest or concern by comparing them to known samples. Control images are taken from healthy individuals and show what the test should look like if the results are negative. Other sample images show what happens with different types of conditions, highlighting the findings associated with them so pathologists know what to look for and how to accurately identify it.
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