Steiner and Steiner staining reveals which of the following in tissue sections?

• A. Heliobacter pylori
• B. Treponema pallidum
• C. Viral inclusions
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Steiner staining uses silver to impregnate certain structures in tissue, making them visible as dark elements on a pale background. It is especially useful for detecting bacteria that are hard to see with routine stains. In gastric biopsy specimens, Helicobacter pylori can be highlighted by Steiner staining, helping identify this curved bacterium in the mucosa. It is also a classic method for demonstrating spirochetes, notably Treponema pallidum, in tissue sections from syphilitic lesions. Although antiviral inclusions are not the primary target of this stain, silver-based methods can sometimes reveal inclusion bodies or related cellular changes in viral infections, depending on the tissue and virus. Because Steiner staining can illuminate these different elements when present in the tissue, all of the listed targets can be revealed, making all of the above the best answer.