Modified Genta triple stain for identifying Helicobacter pylori.

AIM To evaluate whether lead nitrate could replace uranyl nitrate in the Genta stain for H pylori without sacrificing the advantages of the triple stain (Steiner silver impregnation combined with Alcian blue and haematoxylin/eosin (H&E)). METHODS A comparison was made in 16 specimens between the original triple stain and the revised version. One pathologist evaluated all sections. RESULTS Direct substitution of lead nitrate for uranium nitrate produced well stained organisms without interfering with H&E or Alcian blue staining. No difference was found in the ability to identify bacteria in 11 cases with H pylori density of 1 or 2 (on a scale of 0 to 5). CONCLUSIONS The potential chemical and radiological hazards associated with uranium nitrate can be eliminated by using lead nitrate without sacrificing the advantages obtained by using the triple stain.