Dear Francie,
while it is true that acid demineralisation techniques will reduce
demonstrable iron in sections as seen in Perls Stain and others, EDTA will
also do this too, but not to the same extent.
As a rule of thumb, if iron stores can be demonstated, they are probably in
adequate amounts, however a Negative Perls stain in the presence of adequate
controls can not be interpreted as indicating Iron stores are inadequate or
absent. The assessment for the Haematologist should preferably be made on
the smears and accompanied with Serum Fe, Ferritin, TIBC, Transferrin etc.
as dictated by their own protocol.
-----Original Message-----
From: Francie Gallery <fgallery@neurobio.sunysb.edu>
To: HistoNet@Pathology.swmed.edu <HistoNet@Pathology.swmed.edu>
Date: Wednesday, 16 June 1999 2:10
Subject: decrease in iron in BM bx?


>A question was posed to me this morning for the HistoNet folks.
>
>History:
>     bone marrow biopsies fixed in 10% NBF, decalcified in 5% formic acid
>for 4-8hrs then (routine) processed in paraffin
>Observation:
>     there is a marked decrease in iron in these BM bx specimens compared
>to that of the associated clots and aspirates (prepared as above except for
>the decal)
>Questions:
>     1)  has anyone else experienced this (or similar) observation?
>     2)  ideas for remedying this issue?
>
>
>Thanks in advance!
>~Francie~
>
>FGALLERY@neurobio.sunysb.edu
>
>Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY
>Histology Department, Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office, Hauppauge,
>NY
>
>
>
>