warthin–starry stain warthin–starry stain the warthin–starry stain (ws) is a silver nitrate-based staining method (a silver stain) used in histology. it was first introduced in 1920 by american pathologists aldred scott warthin (1866-1931) and allen chronister starry (1890-1973), for the detection of spirochetes. it has been considered a standard stain for the detection of spirochetes, and is also used to stain helicobacter pylori, lawsonia intracellularis, microsporidia, and particulates. it is also important for confirmation of bartonella henselae, a causative organism in cat-scratch disease. helicobacter pylori colonized on the surface of regenerative epithelium, stained with the warthin-starry method. clusters of bacteria (arrow) shown on warthin–starry stain. warthin–starry stains organisms dark brown to black, and the background light golden brown/golden yellow.