Evaluation of histological techniques for the detection of fungal infections caused by Leptolegnia chapmanii (Oomycetes: Saprolegniales) in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae

DIKGOLZ, V.E.; TOLEDO, A.V.; TOPA, P.E.; SPINEDI, N.; LOPEZ LASTRA, C.C.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; XVII Congreso Latinoamericano de Microbiología-X Congreso Argentino de Microbiología; 2004

Asociación Latinoamericana de Microbiología-Asociación Argentina de Microbiología

The observation of entomopathogenic fungal infections by means of histopathological studies requires the use of fixation and staining techniques that provide a good contrast in order to distinguish between host tissues and fungal structures. Therefore the objective of the present work was to evaluate which of the fixatives and stains most frequenly used for observation of insect tissues were the most appropriate to visualize Leptolegnia chapmanii fungal infection in larvae of Aedes aegypti. As a result of the present study it was evidenced that the best contrast between the host tissues and the fungal structures was obtained when using a combination of Carnoy fixative with Groccott stain contrasted with light green. Masson trichromic stain combines with Formaldehyde phosphate buffer 10% also provided acceptable results.