[Histonet] PAS w/wout Diastase liver controls

[Caldwell, Lia]

Hey all,
Just wondering if I could pick your brains about the inconsistency of the PAS with and without Diastase method on liver controls.  We cut several unstained slides on our liver patient panels, and if they happen to have a positive reaction, we will keep the unstained slides to use as future controls.  We also have a liver control that was once very good for this method.   We have noticed that, after time, the PAS reaction weakens on the PAS w/out D on both controls. Our results are not consistent regardless if you use saliva or Diastase of Malt & buffer.  Sometimes the patient's stain is better than the control that was beautiful weeks before.  Can this be attributed to the continual breakdown of glycogen in the liver even after processing?  Does anyone have solid research to indicate tissue/substance degeneration long after processing?  Any information would help.  Thank you!
~Lia
 
Lia M. Caldwell HT (ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Oro Valley Pathology Dept.
phone: (520) 901-3914
www.Lia.Caldwell <@t> TriadHospitals.com