[Histonet] Iron stain question

[lpwenk <@t> sbcglobal.net]

Usually, it's the bone core that is negative due to the decalcification,
while the clot and the smear are positive.

Couple off the wall thoughts.

Any chance that the smear slide was in the same coplin jar slot as the
control, so that the smear was stuck against the back of the previous slide?
That would prevent the ferrocyanide solution from "touching" the smear. If
this is possible, remove the coverslip, remove the mounting media with
xylene (or whatever you use), run the slide back down through alcohols to
water, and restain.

Any chance that the smear was fixed in something containing an acid, like
acetic acid? That might remove the iron. No way to correct this problem.

Did they do a bone core and/or clot? Were they negative? If so, then the
person IS iron deficient, regardless of whether the person has leukemia or
not.

Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
William Beaumont Hospital
Royal Oak, MI 48073

----- Original Message -----
From: <WWmn916 <@t> aol.com>
To: <histonet <@t> pathology.swmed.edu>
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2004 11:49 PM
Subject: [Histonet] Iron stain question


> Hello again histonetters,
>
> Can anyone give me any insight as to why some smear slides stained for
iron
> would not stains positive as it was expected they  would? Doctor say's the
> slides should have stained positive for iron because the  patient has
leukemia.
> The control stained positive as it should  have. Staining tech is sure all
her
> slides were exposed to solution.   Thanks for any help.
>
> Deb King, HT(ASCP)
> Sacramento, CA
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