I had a similar problem with my ZN's about a year ago, with acid fast
organisms obviously not TB.  It turned out to be an AAFB growing in the
vacuum breaker of the cold water tap.  Over a period of years the chemicals
in the tap water were drying in the crevices of the vacuum breaker and
supporting bacterial growth.  It appeared as flakes of material on top of
the section.  In ZN's they were red and coarsely beaded, but larger than a
TB.  The problem was solved completely by replacing the vacuum breaker.

I learnt about this 30 years ago as a student, but my memory is now not
always what it was.

Bryan Llewellyn


----- Original Message -----
From: <TABrecken@aol.com>
To: <Histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu>
Sent: July 21, 1999 7:27 PM
Subject: Floating Debris


> I have talked with several other histotechs about debris on the H&E
slides.
> We have looked at everything we can think of, waterbaths, water, distilled
> water, adhesives, stains, stainers, reagents, etc.  The problem is debris
> floating on top of the stained sections.  It occurs often but not every
> single day.  I can go for a week or so with no debris and then it is back.
> The pathologists and histotechs are pulling their hair out at 2
institutions
> here in Florida.  (The debris is not the hair!)  We have compared notes
and
> use different products but have the same problem.  Any ideas, suggestions
> (hair removal techniques)?
>
> Thanks,
> Tonia Breckenridge
> Baptist Hospital
> Pensacola, FL
>
>
>
>