Hi Amos,

The only thing one can say about a procedure using a paraffin control with
cytology test slides where the control is positive and the cytology specimen
is negative is that "the antibody ain't dead", quoting our former director.
We have found that frequently it is necessary to go twice as strong on the
antibody for cytology specimens compared to paraffin so if one is using a
paraffin protocol and dilutions on cytology specimens, the cytology results
need to be taken with a huge grain of salt!

Linda A. Sebree, HT
University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
Immunohistochemistry/In Situ Hybridization Laboratory
D4/218-2472
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI  53792-2472


(608)265-6596
FAX: (608)263-1568

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Amos Brooks [SMTP:atbrooks@snet.net]
> Sent:	Wednesday, January 19, 2000 11:53 AM
> To:	fyrflyhd@bellsouth.net; histonet
> Subject:	Re: Immunoperoxidase stains on cytology slides
>
> Hi,
>     I'd like to point out, even though cytology smears are not routine
> to our lab, that for controls one would want the fixation and processing
> of the controls and the specimen to resemble each other as closely as
> possible. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues require different
> handling. Since the smears are, presumably, not formalin fixed it seems
> they should not need to be target retrieved.
>     Since the smear and the tissue sections are treated differently what
> happens if one stains and the other doesn't? Can you be sure the
> negative is truly negative or could there be a procedure problem?
> just a thought--
> Amos Brooks
>
> fyrflyhd@bellsouth.net wrote:
>
> > I need advice from techs using the
> > Ventana stainer for IP staining of
> > cytology slides:
> >     How do you fix/prepare slides that
> > are:
> >
> >                 air dried
> >                 alcohol fixed
> >                 previously stained
> >     I also need to know what to use for
> > controls (paraffin controls OK?)
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Mary Stevens
>