Hello again, Histonet ~

First of all, I apologize for the double message.  I have been having some
trouble with my ISP, so some of my Histonet messages have not been getting
through.  I thought the first one had not made it, so I sent another before
leaving for work this afternoon.

Secondly, the information I received regarding the use of a steamer for HIER
was a miscommunication.  As it turns out, April from DAKO wrote the
following message to me:

>Dear Sarah,

>I think there is some confusion on the use of a steamer for HIER.  A
>steamer can be used for HIER but DAKO's new HercepTest has >specific
guidelines that have to be followed and for HIER for that >specific kit a
water bath only must be used, not a steamer.

>April Esquibel
>DAKO Corporation
>Technical Services Specialist
>800-235-5743 ext. 321
http://www.dakousa.com

Don't know why the term "CAP regulation" was used to me, but it is not so.
I thought the information seemed a little strange.  I had checked the CAP
website & found nothing about this.  I decided that posting a question on
the Histonet made sense, since the list was created for just this kind of
query.  Thanks for all the responses!

David Tacha wrote:

I believe their must be a misunderstanding.  There are many papers
validating the steam method.  Unless there has been a big pay-off (this is a
joke), I do not believe this is a new CAP regulation.
Immunohistochemistry markers are considered a Class 1 procedure and are not
regulated by FDA.  Whether you use a waterbath or steamer, or pressure
cooker or microwave to heat tissue, there should be very little difference
in the results, if applied correctly.  We all have to validate our
procedures with negative and positive controls that is signed off by a
pathologist.  Now if a procedure is approved by the FDA, that is a different
story.   I personally talked to Dako, and they said they know nothing about
a CAP ruling on steamer.

J.A. Kiernan wrote:

Some salesman, overly greedy for his commission, is trying to
frighten you into buying something expensive. If he claims to
be from a reputable company, call their free 800 number and
ask to speak to someone in authority, or send a snail mail
letter to the Managing Director, and a copy to somebody senior
in your own institution. Do not be intimidated. Heat is heat
and in the presence of water it will "retrieve epitopes"
however it is applied, subject to certain antigen-dependent
idiosyncrasies of pH etc.

If something as simple as a rice steamer or pressure cooker
is adequate for the work you are doing, go on using it.
When you are asked to do things that need more expensive
equipment, ask your boss if it's really needed, and then
invite several suppliers to give quotations. Tell them all
that they are competing with their rivals. If you can get the
same thing from a non-laboratory source it may well be much
cheaper. Remember all those $1000 lavatory seats sold to
the U.S. army?

My note:  This is not the case.  It is a simple misunderstanding.

Shirley Powell wrote:

Hi Sarah,
I use a steamer and would like to know what answers you get, since not all
respond to the histonet but the sender, please forward your responses to me
if you do not mind.  My email address is powell.s@gain.mercer.edu.  Thanks
in advance.

Shirley Powell

Hope this issue is resolved now.  Sorry for the misunderstanding!!

Sarah A. Jones
APMG
Los Gatos, CA