Hi,
    In a lab I worked in many moons ago, We used eosin in the 95%. This
worked fine. It also colored the tiny specimens pink making them easy to
locate. The pink color washed out when the section was deparaffinized after
cutting. Since then, I have heard that eosin causes a lot of auto
fluorescence. So, unless you are doing fluorescent staining (or might in the
future) it is a viable option.
    Please bear in mind that if you are doing breast tissue that might be
stained for H2N or Herceptest. These tests often require FISH (Fluorescent
In Situ Hybridization). Although I haven't seen problems with eosin auto
fluorescence in this yet, I won't be surprised if I do see it.
Amos Brooks
----- Original Message -----
From: "Heggan, Ricky" <ricky_heggan@merck.com>
To: "'HistoNet Server'" <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2001 9:33 AM
Subject: Dye in 100% Alcohol


> Histonetters,
>
> I was wondering if anyone uses a dye in their alcohols to distinguish them
> from other solutions.  Is there a dye that can achieve this without
> affecting tissue staining?
>
> I have heard of laboratories using dyes to distinguish formalin from
saline.
> I have also heard of laboratories using Eosin in their alcohols to make
> smaller tissues more visible at time of embedding.  However, if the Eosin
> (or other dye) stains the processing container, it will not serve the
> purpose that I am trying to achieve, that of being a visual double check
> that 100% alcohol is in the correct position on the VIP tissue processor.
>
> If anyone has a technique they would like to share, please include the
dying
> agent and amount used to achieve the desired results.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Rick Heggan
> Merck Research Laboratories
> Voice: 215-652-4531   FAX: 215-993-0383
> Internet: ricky_heggan@merck.com
>
>
>