Iron deposits are brought out on this slide through the use of an iron-hematoxylin stain which stains the iron blue. The demonstration of the spirochaetal organisms is extemely difficult in the CNS regardless of the form of involvement. The only hope of demonstrating the organisms is with the use of special stains. This photomicrograph shows the undulating morphology of Treponema organisms which have been stained by fluorescent-tagged antibodies. Patients with tabes dorsalis usually do not have parenchymatous-meningovascular syphilis as well.
Tabes dorsalis involves the dorsal roots and posterior columns of the spinal cord.
Staining the cord specifically for myelin demonstrates the localization of demyelination to the posterior columns as shown on this slide . With the same myelin stain, it also is possible to appreciate the demyelination which occurs in the dorsal spinal roots. The junction of the dorsal root and spinal cord is shown in the center of this slide . Note the pallor in this region. All rights reserved.