[Histonet] (no subject)

[Chapman, Cherie J.]

Hello all,

I am looking for suggestions on issues with our H&E stain.

I supervised a Veterinary Diagnostic lab for over 27 years and produced top quality sections, H&E's, special stains and IHC  on a variety of different species in our lab.
 I am currently working in a  Dermatopathology Lab and I am  finding inconsistent staining with our H&E's. Working with just skin is a challenge all on its own.  We have made changes to our staining protocol and just not happy with the end product.
What we are observing is inconsistent  staining on levels on the same slide.  The top section seems to stain more evenly than the middle and bottom sections.  I can actually see three different shades of color.   The specimens are ribboned sections so I know it is not from thick and thin sections.   We have looked at our processing times, microwave vs. oven times, staining reagents, different brands of hematoxylin and eosin, adjustments on staining times, tap water compared to distilled water.

Our main processor is the Thermo Scientific STP-420 and our back up is the  Sakura VIP V processor.    I have been working with Thermo technical support thinking it might be a processing issue.  We have a Leica ST5020 Multstainer/CV5030 Robotic Cover slipper we have made several changes that the technical teams has suggested to the reagents and staining time.  It's still not the quality that we are looking for.
I have had culligan techs out several times to see if it could be something with  the water.

We can run 100 slides the same day, same reagents and protocol and the H&E color is so inconsistent.
 I would appreciate any suggestions in this matter.


Cherie Chapman, BS, HT, HTL (ASCP)
Associate Director of Dermatopathology Laboratory
University of Missouri Department of Dermatology
University Physicians Medical Building
Phone: (573) 884-0123
Fax: (573) 884-0834