Van Gieson's stain

Van Gieson's stain is a mixture of picric acid and acid fuchsin. It is the simplest method of differential staining of collagen and other connective tissue. It was introduced to histology by American neuropsychiatrist and pathologist Ira Van Gieson.^[1]

Van Gieson's stain in an angioleiomyoma, making smooth muscle fibers yellow and collagen fibers red.

Hematoxylin and Van Gieson's stain gives collagen a pink color, such as in fibrosis (arrows, here in cirrhosis).

HvG stain generally refers to the combination of hematoxylin and Van Gieson's stain,^[2] but can possibly refer to a combination of hibiscus extract-iron solution and Van Gieson's stain.^[3]

Other dyes

Other dyes used in connection with Van Gieson staining include:

• Alcian blue
• Amido black 10B
• Verhoeff's stain