I found a few journal articles that state that
periodic acid can be used as an oxidizer in staining
techniques used to demostrate Histoplasma.  In
particular, it was stated that histoplasma was
demonstrated using the Periodic Acid-Schiff technique.
 It seems to me that if periodic acid is a sufficient
oxidizer in the PAS technique, then it could also be
used as an oxidizer in the GMS technique.

Here are the articles:

Kagawa, Y. et al.  "Histoplasmosis in the skin and
gingiva in a dog."  J Vet Med Sci, 1998 July, 60(7),
863-5.

Weller, RE. et al.  "Hypercalcemia and disseminated
histoplasmosis in an owl monkey."  J Med Primat. 1990,
19(7), 675-80.

Kelly Booher, BS, HTL (ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology
Swedish Medical Center, Providence Campus
Seattle, WA  98122

> Chromic acid is a strong oxidant and a sufficient
> environmental hazard that 
> people understandably want to be rid of it.
> Nonetheless, Good Marketing and 
> Good Management do not replace scientific evidence
> that periodic acid 
> oxidation is sufficient. If there's any reliable
> literature on this subject, 
> somebody please cite it!
> 
> Bob Richmond
> Samurai Pathologist
> Knoxville TN
> 


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