Weigerts

Weigerts refers to a set of histological staining methods developed by the German pathologist Carl Weigert in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These stains are used in light microscopy to reveal specific tissue components, particularly elastic fibers and nuclear detail, and are commonly applied to paraffin-embedded sections as part of routine histology or pathology protocols. The term is often encountered as Weigert’s stains or as combinations bearing his name.

Weigert's iron hematoxylin is a nuclear stain that yields blue to black nuclei when performed with a suitable mordant and oxidation step. It is frequently used in conjunction with counterstains to provide strong contrast between nuclei and cytoplasm or connective tissue elements, aiding visualization of tissue architecture.

Weigert's elastic stain, also known as Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin, uses a combination of resorcin and fuchsin (often with an oxidation step) to stain elastic fibers black or dark purple. This stain is particularly useful for identifying elastic laminae in arteries, elastic fibers in the lungs, skin, and other connective tissues. It is commonly paired with counterstains such as Van Gieson or other dyes to distinguish elastic tissue from collagen and other components.

Applications of Weigert's staining methods span educational histology and diagnostic pathology, where visualization of elastic fibers and nuclear details supports the assessment of vascular health, connective tissue organization, and related abnormalities. While newer staining techniques and immunohistochemical methods have expanded available tools, Weigert stains remain part of historical and some contemporary histology practices.