Introduction

Polychromatic solution of Methyl Blue and Eosin Y stains (modified Mann’s solution) is mainly used for staining anterior pituitary gland and viral inclusions. It consists of two stains that stain granules of alpha cells red, granules of beta cells dark blue, pituitary cells without granules grey to pink, colloids red, erythrocytes orange-red and collagen fibers blue. It is also used for staining goblet cells, enterocytes, Paneth cells and pancreatic cells. It is also often used for detecting Negri bodies that are stained red, while their nuclei and central granules are stained blue. In 1894 Gustav Mann described two methods of staining using Methyl Blue Eosin solution. Rapid method enables viewing the state of the histological preparation, while the standard method enables visualization of cytoplasmatic details, such as secretion granules and viral inclusions. Unlike rapid method that takes 10 minutes to complete, the standard method takes 12-24 hours to complete.