Luetic aortitis, aorta, elastic stain
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An elastic stain, which stain elastic fibers black, demonstrates the destruction of fibers within the aorta by the small vessel endarteritis in the adventitia. There is much argument about whether the tertiary effects of syphilis are due to organisms, or rather some type of auto-immune phenomena. In tertiary syphilis in AIDS patients, however, organisms can be demonstrated.