[Histonet] THE IRON STAIN FOR ASBESTOS BODIES

[Tony Henwood]

The following works quite well:

USE OF CELLULOSE MEMBRANE FILTERS TO DETECT ASBESTOS IN SPUTUM SPECIMENS

REFERENCE:  
Pelosi et al (1990) Acta Cytolog 34(4):588-590.

PRINCIPLE:

Pelosi et al (1990) found that the total number of asbestos bodies and
fibres per specimen was twice as high on the membrane filters as on
conventionally stained PAP smears.

The Perl's stain allows one to identify only the coated fibres (asbestos
bodies and/or true ferruginous bodies) not the uncoated fibres. Not all
ferruginous bodies have an asbestos fibre core (eg fibrous glass,
aluminium silicate, silicon carbide, talc, titanium oxide and erionite)
but can give a positive Perl's reaction. They lack an asbestos fibre
core.

SOLUTIONS:

1.	10% Sodium Hypochlorite (7% active chlorine)

METHOD:

1.	Dissolve sputum in 10-15ml 10% sodium hypochlorite.
2.	Filter resultant solution using positive pressure (syringe
technique) onto a cellulose nitrate membrane.
3.	Examine filters under the microscope.

RESULTS:
Only bodies with typical dumbell, javelin or segmented morphologies and
thin optically transparent cores are counted as asbestos bodies.



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
snow12 <@t> comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, 8 July 2008 11:37 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] THE IRON STAIN FOR ASBESTOS BODIES


Greetings fellow histonetters:
 
I currently stain slides (FE STAIN) for a forensic pathologist to
document asbestos bodies. Does any one know any other staining methods
for asbestos bodies besides an iron stain? Is an Antibody available for
an asbestos body or perhaps the asbestos body coating? I would prefer to
stay away from the digestion filter technique however does anyone have a
procedure using the digestion filter technique I would appreciate it.
 
Jonathan R Dyke, AAS, HT (ASCP) 
Diagnostics Pathology Consultants
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