[Histonet] Purple Haze.....

[Therersa Stegall]

Kathleen:
   Thanks for naming the amorphous blight that has been plaguing us
lately.  This "Jimi Hendrix" artifact has been running 'round our brains
for the past few weeks.  We have 1-started filtering the hematoxylin
each morning, 2-alternated between Sta-on, gelatin, and naked
waterbaths, 3-scrubbed the entire staining system, 4-decreased time in
microwave, ovens, for drying slides; and yet, we still find this on some
biopsies.  Not always all the biopsies in a batch, this led us to ask GI
about collection procedures, and possible air-drying, they insist it's
not them.  We've checked pH on water, accurately calibrated the bluing
and acid/water washes (we stain regressively), and just about run out of
ideas.  I'm beginning to suspect the hematoxylin is leaving a
precipitate, or maybe the microtomy is inconsistent and ruining cell
integrity, or .... maybe it's terrorism!   Any ideas out there?