Which pigment can be removed with Lugol iodine and is specifically described as mercury pigment?

• A. Mercury pigment
• B. Hematoxylin
• C. Eosin
• D. Basophilic pigment

Answer: (A)

Lugol's iodine can remove certain inorganic pigments that contain metals because iodine can react with the metal to form a compound that is washed away during processing. Mercury pigment is the one specifically described as being removable by Lugol's iodine, since its mercury content allows this interaction and subsequent decolorization. Hematoxylin and eosin are organic dyes used for staining and are not removed by Lugol's iodine in standard protocols. Basophilic pigment is a general category of blue/purple-pigmented deposits and is not the pigment described as being removable by Lugol's iodine.