[Comparison of collagen fiber staining between Van-Gieson staining and Masson trichrome staining of hepatic specimens in mice with Schistosoma japonicum infection].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of collagen fiber staining between Van-Gieson staining and Masson trichrome staining of hepatic specimens in mice with Schistosoma japonicum infection. METHODS: A model of hepatic granuloma and fibrosis was established by infecting mice with S. japonicum cercariae, then the hepatic specimens were taken and Van-Gieson staining and Masson trichrome staining were performed. Eventually, the area of granuloma and fibrosis were measured by imaging analysis software. RESULTS: When the time of staining was 3-7 min, there was no significant difference of the fibrosis areas between the two methods (P > 0.05); when the time of staining was more than 10 min, the staining area showed by Masson's staining was significantly larger than that showed by Van-Gieson staining, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The operation procedures of Van-Gieson staining are simpler and easier to master than those of Masson trichrome staining, therefore Van-Gieson staining is a better method to display collagen.