Re: Grocott problems

From:Barbara Stancel

Kathy,  We use 10% chromium trioxide (chromic acid) instead of 5%. We also 
microwave the silver solution about 10 seconds on full power, stir, followed 
by another 10 seconds and stir. It usually takes about 2-10 minutes for the 
tissue to develop to a golden brown color. Stirring (sucking up with a 
disposable pipette and forcing out rapidly enough to form lots of small air 
bubbles) every few minutes and keeping a close eye on the developing. If it 
has not developed in 10 minutes, we zap it for another 10 seconds. If it 
hasn't developed in 20 minutes, I pour out the old silver solution, rinse, 
make some fresh and start again. But the only time this has happened, I had 
forgotten to put the slides through the chromic acid...6:15am is not my 
prime time of day to do specials.

Histologically yours,


Barbara H. Stancel, HTL(ASCP)HT
USDA, FSIS, OPHS, Eastern Laboratory, Pathology
RRC, 950 College Station Road
Athens, Georgia  30604
phone: (706) 546-3556
fax: (706) 546-3589



Johnston, Kathy" 
Subject: Grocott problems   Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2002 11:34:18 -0600

We have been experiencing problems with our GMS stain over the past few
weeks.  We run both a control slide containing fungal hyphae, and p. carnii 
to cover our bases.  Our problem is: it is taking much longer to stain in 
silver, and after we tone, and Na thio the slides, they are so pale (or non 
existent), that they are unacceptable.

We have made new: 5% silver, 3% methenamine, 5% borax, stock silver
methenamine, 5% chromic acid, 0.1% gold chloride, and 2% sodium thio.  All 
to little avail other than to be able to make them acceptable to sent out, 
but not up to our usual standard.

Kathy Johnston, Tech II - Special Stains
Anatomic Pathology - Foothills Medical Center
Calgary Laboratory Services
Ph - 403-670-4760     Fax - 403-270-4093

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