[Histonet] Re: Amyloid Control

[Robert Richmond]

Lorraine Cornett in Kingsport TN (right up the road from Knoxville)
asked for and got (yay Histonet) an amyloid control.

She noted that paraffin sections do not last more than a couple of
weeks, and need to be cut fairly fresh.

Everybody has trouble getting amyloid controls - a famous academic
surgical pathologist who first made his reputation with amyloid in
George Glenner's laboratory, told me he didn't have one.

What I don't understand is - amyloidosis is rather easily produced in
some experimental animals by repeated injection of proteins such as
casein. Why isn't experimental animal material offered commercially as
an amyloid control?

Medullary carcinomas of the thyroid usually contain some amyloid, and
I've seen them successfully used as amyloid controls.

There are many other problems with amyloid staining. Congo red
staining requires a polarizing microscope, and many pathologists in
small pathology services aren't allowed to have one of these.

Does anybody have any experience with Anatech's Amyloid Red?

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN