We use 10% chromic acid (aqueous) for 10 minutes, room temperature.
We used to use 4% for 1 hour, room temp. But the 10% for 10 min. gave
us the same results and saved us 50 minutes. This solution can be reused
for months. When it starts to turn brown, instead of being orange, it's
time to remake the solution.

We tried the 1 minute microwave with the 4%, but we never liked it. The
tissues tended to fall off the slides, and we found that the solution would
turn brown after microwaving just a couple of times so we were making
new solution every week or so.

Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)
William Beaumont Hospital
Royal Oak, MI

----- Original Message -----
From: <Kimcatk@aol.com>
To: <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 1:47 PM
Subject: GMS & Steiner Chapman / Re: Seeking Staining Procedures


> Dear HistoNet colleagues,
>      It is great to have HistoNet working again!  Thank you to those of
you who responded to my posting.  I got some leads on staining for fungi and
spirochetes, but I still have some questions.
>      Has anyone done Grocott's Methenamine Silver (GMS) without heating
the chromic acid?  I heard that it is possible to oxidize in the chromic
acid for an hour instead of heating it, but I do not have a procedure.
>      Also, I am looking for a procedure for Steiner Chapman because that
replaces the uranium/uranyl nitrate with some type of zinc solution.
>      I would be very grateful for any help you could provide.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Kimberly Atkin HT (ASCP)
> Boston, MA
>
>
> In a message dated Tue, 5 Dec 2000  8:52:00 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Kimcatk writes:
>
> << Dear HistoNet colleagues,
>
>      I am seeking to replace some staining procedures in my laboratory
with NON-microwave methods.  Optimally, I am hoping to find stains that are
free of heavy metals or any particularly toxic or dangerous components.  I
can not use mercury.
>
>      I need to find staining protocols or kits to demonstrate the
following:
>
> Fungal organisms
> Spirochetes, Campylobacter, and Legionella organisms
>
>      In addition, the gram stain procedure I use is very cumbersome and I
would be extremely grateful for a simpler method.
>
>      Thank you all very much in advance for your help.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Kimberly Atkin HT (ASCP)
>
> Boston, Massachusetts
>
>  >>
>
>
>
>