----- Original Message -----

From: LMHAMILTON1@aol.com

To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu

Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 4:15 PM

Subject: Prussian Blue rxn in bone, no postive rxn.

Hello,

I am currently working on my HTL designation. One of the requested specimens for my practical is bone with the cortex and marrow. The bone is to be stained for iron with a Prussian blue reaction.

I have tried many different bone specimens using the Perls method with no positive reaction, but the control (liver) is positive. One specimen the pathologist believed he saw hemosiderin in the H&E, but with the Perls again being negative. :(
All of the glass ware was chemically clean. I used 10% Potassium Ferrocyanide and 10% HCL all fresh. I initially tried 5 minutes in Potassium Ferrocyanide and then 10 minutes with no results. I have used slow decal (formical) and overnight decal. Is the acid content in these products causing the loss of iron?
All of the specimens are animal (dog and min-pigs) . Would human bone exhibit more iron?
I would appreciate any suggestions to changes in processing or staining methods.

Loriann Hamilton
HistoTechniques
Powell, Ohio