Phosphotungstic Acid Eliminates Uranyl Nitrate as a Sensitizer Before the Silver Impregnation of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

Five different oxidizers were tested as “sensitizers” for the silver impregnation used to screen for the presence of H. pylori in gastric biopsies. Only phosphotungstic acid (0.01% aqueous solution) proved to be as reliable as the conventional 1% aqueous solution of uranyl nitrate. The organisms stained deep black and could be detected in all the samples where present. This procedure reduces the health hazards existent in laboratories where the radioactive uranyl nitrate is used. (The J Histotechnol 24:113, 2001)Submitted: January 23, 2001; Accepted with revisions: March 6, 2001