The substance typically demonstrated by Congo red staining in histology is which of the following?

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Multiple Choice

The substance typically demonstrated by Congo red staining in histology is which of the following?

Explanation:
Congo red staining is used to detect amyloid. Amyloid fibrils have a beta-pleated sheet structure that binds Congo red, so the deposits appear pink to red under standard light and show an apple-green birefringence when viewed with polarized light, a hallmark that helps confirm amyloidosis. Other structures listed are highlighted by different stains—collagen with Masson's trichrome or picrosirius red, elastic fibers with Verhoeff’s or orcein, and goblet cell mucins with PAS or Alcian blue—so Congo red specifically points to amyloid.

Congo red staining is used to detect amyloid. Amyloid fibrils have a beta-pleated sheet structure that binds Congo red, so the deposits appear pink to red under standard light and show an apple-green birefringence when viewed with polarized light, a hallmark that helps confirm amyloidosis. Other structures listed are highlighted by different stains—collagen with Masson's trichrome or picrosirius red, elastic fibers with Verhoeff’s or orcein, and goblet cell mucins with PAS or Alcian blue—so Congo red specifically points to amyloid.

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