[Histonet] H & E stain question

[Gayle Callis]

Dear Sharon,

Use a different Gill hematoxylin. We used Gill 2 for all our FFPE embedded 
tissues for years, a preference over Gill 3 which is more concentrated than 
Gill 2.  You could also try Gill 1 which is less concentrated than 2 or 3.

I suggest a test run of several sections with ech section stained at a 
different time to optimize staining time for these OR cut back on the 
staining time in Gill 3 - you did not give the time?  Most progressive 
hematoxylins will have stained well at around 1 1/2 to 2 minutes anyway. 
The only time we ever used Gill 3 was for glycol methacrylate embedded 
tissues as we found it too concentrated for FFPE tissues in our lab.

Gayle M. Callis
HT/HTL/MT(ASCP)
Bozeman MT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sharon.Davis-Devine" <Sharon.Davis-Devine <@t> carle.com>
To: <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 12:08 PM
Subject: [Histonet] H & E stain question


We are continually having a problem with our H & E stain.  We currently
use Gill III Hematoxlyin on a staining machine with a running water
bath.  Our pathologists do not like to have the pH of the Heme higher
than 2.5 because it makes the small biopsy sections too dark and the
mucin appears blue.  My question to all of you is, has any of you
experienced this issue and if so, how did you go about getting it fixed?
I had suggested switching to a different heme such as Harris and maybe
switching our running water bath to DI water.  We have significant
flooding in our area and there will be more bleach in the city water
supply.  Does any of this sound feasible?  Help please.  Thanks.



Sharon Davis-Devine, CT (ASCP)

Cytology Supervisor

Carle Clinic

602 West University

Urbana, Illinois 61801

Phone:  217-383-3572

Email:  sharon.davis-devine <@t> carle.com



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