bilestained

Bilestained refers to tissue that has been treated with histochemical stains to reveal bile pigments, primarily bilirubin and biliverdin. In histology, bilestaining is used to assess the distribution and amount of bile pigments within liver tissue, biliary epithelium, and associated macrophages, aiding in the evaluation of cholestasis and biliary injury.

Common bilestaining techniques include stains historically used to detect bile pigments, such as Fouchet's stain, as well as other reagents that react with bilirubin and related pigments to produce a color change visible under light microscopy. The resulting colored deposits help localize pigment within canaliculi, hepatocytes, or Kupffer cells, contributing to the assessment of bile flow impairment and pigment-retaining processes.

Interpretation relies on correlating the pattern and extent of pigment deposition with clinical and laboratory data. Bilestaining can support diagnoses involving cholestasis, obstructive liver disease, or hepatocellular injury with bile retention. However, the technique is not entirely specific and can be influenced by tissue processing, fixation, and the age of the specimen. Therefore, bilestaining is usually used in conjunction with other histological stains and clinical information to form a comprehensive assessment.

See also bilirubin, cholestasis, hepatic histology, and liver biopsy.