We do immunohistochemistry for mycobacteria; very sensitive, but not
specific.  The pAb that we use stains all types of mycobacteria and may
cross-react with other bacteria as well since bacteria share antigens. 
Therefore, positive immunoreactivity should be confirmed with another
technique.  In addition, we can extract DNA from the formalin-fixed,
paraffin-embedded tissue and probe for mycobacterial DNA sequences.  We
use two primers: one is genus-specific for mycobacteria and the other is
specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Richard Cartun

>>> Claye Clyatt  02/03/03 10:07AM >>>
Does anyone have tissue containing Mycobaterium Leprae that can be
shared for a control slide or know of a reference lab that can perform
staining on a paraffin block for this agent.

Thanks,
Claye

Claye Clyatt
Chief Histotechnologist
Department of Pathology 
Room #BF119
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Ga 30912
office   (706) 721-3630
pager  (706) 721-7243-1132
e-mail: cclyatt@mail.mcg.edu