[Histonet] microwave GMS for pneumocystis and possible boil over containment

[Gayle Callis]

Laurie,

Very nice and quick GMS here!!  To prevent boil over spills in MW 
chamber,  place slide holder upright in a zip lock baggie, with one corner 
left open for venting.  This very tidy hint came from Cheryl Crowder, a MW 
staining expert.

At 10:18 AM 1/10/2006, you wrote:
>Lynne,
>
>We run a Grocott's Methenamine Silver, utilizing the microwave.  We stain 
>exactly as the protocol states, except we microwave on the silver step (we 
>have a regular household microwave).
>Make up the silver as directed, put in a plastic 5-slide holder, and 
>microwave on high for 30-60 seconds.  Just keep on eye on the silver so it 
>doesn't boil over.  I check my slide at about 20 seconds and then every 10 
>seconds after that.  When my control section is a golden brown color, I 
>take the slide out, rinse in DI water, and proceed with staining.  We can 
>complete the stain in less than 20 minutes.
>
>Laurie Colbert
>Huntington Hospital
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Bell, Lynne [mailto:Lynne.Bell <@t> hitchcock.org]
>Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 5:22 AM
>To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
>Subject: [Histonet] Stains for pneumocystis
>
>
>My fellow Histonetters,
>
>I would like to know what stain you are using for pneumocystis.  We are
>presently using a "modified" GMS that takes approximately one hour and
>15 minutes to perform.  A few of our physicians would like something a
>bit faster.  (Of course, I would like to get the specimen sometimes
>before 3 p.m., but that is another story for another time!)  I have also
>found that a Thin Prep slide from a BAL is the best specimen.  We have
>tried direct smears and Cyto-spins with much less success.
>
>Thanks is advance,
>Lynne
>
>Lynne A. Bell, HT (ASCP)
>Laboratory
>Central Vermont Hospital
>P.O. Box 547
>Barre, VT 05641
>(802)371-4122
>
>
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Gayle Callis
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367
406 994-4303 (FAX)