[Histonet] Mucin containing cells too blue

[Tony Henwood]

Greg,

Don't assume that "fresh hematoxylin (and thererfore correct pH) would
rectify the problem". Incorrect pH of the Haematoxylin is the usual
problem. A feature of a haematoxylin solution that has a high pH is the
staining of mucin, especially in the alimentary tract. Decreasing the pH
of the staining solution to about 2.5 will decrease this mucin staining.

Regards

Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC)
Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist
The Children's Hospital at Westmead,
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145, AUSTRALIA.
Tel: 612 9845 3306
Fax: 612 9845 3318




-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Greg
Dobbin
Sent: Wednesday, 23 January 2008 7:24 AM
To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Mucin containing cells too blue


Hi Folks,
I have been using the Surgipath Selectech reagents (H&E) for almost 3
months now and I have not had a single complaint about staining...until
now.  Suddenly the mucin containing cells are too blue.  My first
thought was to make fresh Define (the Surgipath differentiator).  This
did not fix the problem.  Next I replaced the hematoxylin with fresh
(not supposed to have to change before 2500 slides, but changed at 1500
slides to see if that would correct the problem). It has not.  

I was sure that fresh hematoxylin (and thererfore correct pH) would
rectify the problem.  What are the other usual suspects here?  I should
also mention our H&E's are done on the Leica Autostainer. I look forward
to receiving your collective insight! Greg



Greg Dobbin, R.T.
Chief Technologist, Histology Lab
Dept. of Laboratory Medicine,
Queen Elizabeth Hospital,
P.O. Box 6600
Charlottetown, PE    C1A 8T5
Phone: (902) 894-2337
Fax: (902) 894-2385

There is some merit in doing the right thing rather badly,
but absolutely none in doing the wrong thing excellently!

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