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.; LÓPEZ LASTRA, C.C.

Buenos Aires

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

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 frequently 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 Grocott stain, contrasted with light green. Masson trichromic stain combined with Formaldehyde phosphate buffer 10% also provided acceptable results.