Prussian Blue Iron Stain Kit (Reaction for Demonstration of Iron)

Prussian Blue or Perls’ reaction is used to demonstrate ferric iron and ferritin. This is not a true staining technique rather, it is a histochemical reaction.

The protein is split off by the hydrochloric acid, allowing the potassium ferrocyanide to combine with the ferric iron. This forms the ferric ferrocyanide or Prussian Blue.

Fixation: 10% NBF or alcohol can be used. Sections should be cut at 4μ to 5μ or blood or bone marrow smears.

Deparaffinize: Slides should be deparaffinized through xylene or substitute to remove paraffin from the section and descending grades of alcohol to water just prior to staining.