RE: Steiner and Steiner Problem/Fungus Problem solved.

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From:"Kellar, Eric" <kellarec@MSX.UPMC.EDU>
To:histonet@pathology.swmed.edu, "'Scott, Allison D'" <Allison_Scott@hchd.tmc.edu>
Reply-To:
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A generalized background staining of a lighter color as compared to that of
the in-house patient tissue is expected, and is often seen when using a
commercial control (often derived from sacrificed animal tissue). The
staining mechanisms of the Steiner (1944) and modified Steiner technique
(1983) are complex and are highly influenced by initial fixation, silver
impregnation, the age of developer and the time spent in it. The organisms
themselves can be expected to demonstrate a similar brown-black staining
intensity due to the formation of microcrystals of metallic silver at an
equal rate in the developer. I often run a gram control slide (which I have
processed in-house) with the commercial control slide. It gives similar
background to the in-house patient specimen, but is used to visualize the
staining intensity of the microorganisms, without disturbing the other
developing slides. 

The only solution to your problem is to find suitable control tissue that
contains spirochetes and process it through your own laboratory. Until then,
there will certainly be slight to moderate contrast differences in
background between your in-house processed specimens and that of the
commercially prepared control specimen.



Eric C. Kellar
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

> ----------
> From: 	Scott, Allison D[SMTP:Allison_Scott@hchd.tmc.edu]
> Sent: 	Friday, February 25, 2000 5:12 PM
> To: 	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
> Subject: 	Steiner and Steiner Problem/Fungus Problem solved.
> 
> We are having a problem with the steiner and steiner.  After the slides
> are
> put into the developer, the patient slides turn but the control slide does
> not.  We originally thought that the hydroquinone was not any good, so we
> got some new chemical.  The same thing happened again.We follow the
> procedure to the letter. IThe dry chemicals are not old.  Not that  it
> makes
> any difference.  We also have considered that the control slides may not
> be
> any good also.  On Monday we will repeat the stain using another control.
> By the way the controls are store bought. For those of you that responded
> to
> my problem of fungus growing among us, the problem is with the cytology
> area.  Were not sure where  in the cytology area but it is not with
> anything
> that histology did.  If anyone has a solution to my steiner problem please
> respond..
> Allison Scott  
> 



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