In Wade-Fites stain, what is used for deparaffinization?

Study for the CAMLPR Histology Practice Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

In the Wade-Fite stain, deparaffinization uses a peanut oil pre-treatment followed by xylene to thoroughly clear the tissue. The peanut oil gently dissolves the paraffin without aggressively extracting lipids that are important for preserving acid-fast organisms, and then two xylene baths remove the oil and any remaining paraffin residue to prepare the section for staining. Ethanol or water cannot remove paraffin, and xylene alone wouldn’t provide the gentler initial deparaffinization that helps maintain the integrity of the organisms being targeted.