You can make controls from cultured cells. The VZV will have to be infected
cultures. Just have them grow up the cultures and then fix the culture in
formalin. Scrape off the cells and put in a centrifuge tube. Centrifuge to
get a pellet. Then mix the pellet with finely minced tissue (we use kidney,
lung and liver together). The best way to do this is to mince the cells into
the tissue with a razor blade. Put the mixture in a block and you have a
great control.

Tim Morken EMT(MSA), HTL(ASCP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Infectious Disease Pathology
MS-G32 
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333

PH 404-639-3964
FAX 404-639-3043
email tim9@cdc.gov 

-----Original Message-----
From: Willis, Donna [mailto:DonnaWillis@texashealth.org]
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 2:12 PM
To: 'HistoNet'
Subject: Control tissue


I need so help from the histonet in finding some control tissue for
Varicella- Zoster and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (species-specific) to be
used in immunohistochemistry.  Is there a way to make controls using micro
samples.  


Thanks,
Donna Willis
Histology Lab Manager
Harris Methodist Fort Worth, Tx