We always run comparison slides of new lots of antibodies with the same control tissues used with the previous lot.  The new lot slides are compared with the old lot slides on file. I don't think the antibody format or IHC method has anything to do with checking out new lots of reagents.  Although manufacturers attempt to eliminate or minimize lot to lot variation you still need to be aware of possible changes in antibody reactivity or vendor recommendations.

Sally Ann Drew-MT(ASCP)
Univ. of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
IHC/ISH Laboratory 
600 Highland Ave. VAH-DM223
Madison, WI 53792-2472
608-265-6596
sa.drew@hosp.wisc.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: Laurie Colbert [mailto:laurie.colbert@huntingtonhospital.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 2:01 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Another CAP question


CAP question ANP.22750 

Are records maintained for evaluation of new antibody lots and new antibodies introduced into the laboratory?

Are we really expected to test new antibody lots for pre-diluted antibodies that are run on an automated stainer?  It seems to me this would refer more to concentrated antibodies that have to be titrated.  Is the pathologist's documentation that the control was ok for that particular antibody good enough?

Laurie Colbert