Terri is correct and with the FDA approved IHC tests using a mixture 
of fixatives other than or with NBF is not an option anymore.  These 
tests require NBF for fixation at all phases.  You can't do pre-fix 
in NBF and then switch to a substitute on the processor or for 
storage or vice versa .  I think of it as not doing the patient any 
good by calling the test results into question with a non-recommended 
fixative on these tests.  Until the companies with FDA approved IHC 
tests are willing to test all substitutes and tell you which ones you 
use (id they are still on the market) for which test we will need to 
use NBF.  Sorry.

Pam Marcum

At 01:16 PM 1/2/2007, Terri  Braud wrote:
>What an eye-opener!
>
>I come from a lab where a formalin substitute was used for almost 10 
>years, then had it discontinued; then found an alternate source, 
>only to have it discontinued after 5 more years.
>Forget trying to make it yourself because the ingredients were proprietary.
>Then, there was the need for all those pesky "alternative" NBF 
>protocols for staining and IHC, especially the CAP surveys, which 
>were always Neutral Buffered Formalin Fixed.
>Certainly there are good, safer substitutes available, but none have 
>the history of formalin and none are approved as a fixative for any 
>of the FDA approved IHC tests.
>Best of Luck to the Histotechs who have used this product for years, 
>optimized all of their procedures for it, only to be left hanging.
>
>Terri Braud
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Jackie M
>O'Connor
>Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 12:54 PM
>To: Hannah, Michele F.
>Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu;
>histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>Subject: Re: [Histonet] STF replacement
>
>
>OK - just back from an extended leave.  I called STRECK Laboratories, and
>they did in fact confirm that they are no longer offering STF for sale.  I
>also would appreciate any suggestions from anyone who routinely uses a
>formalin substitute for IHC, particularly on mouse tissue.
>Thanks.
>
>Jackie O'Connor
>
>
>
>"Hannah, Michele F." 
>Sent by: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>12/14/2006 03:31 PM
>
>To
>
>cc
>
>Subject
>[Histonet] STF replacement
>
>
>
>
>
>
>I just called to check on an order of STF that I had placed and was told
>that it has been discontinued with no replacement.  Just wondering if
>anyone else has found a replacement or knows of one.  We use it
>exclusively for postfixation.  Thanks!
>
>
>Michele
>
>Michele F. Hannah  M.S.
>Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology
>Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
>
>
>
>
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Best Regards,

Pamela A Marcum
Manager, Histology Special Procedures
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
R.S. Reynolds Jr.  CORL
New Bolton Center
382 West Street Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348

Phone - 610-925-6278
Fax     - 610-925-8120
E-mail - pmarcum@vet.upenn.edu 


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