[Histonet] Re: inconsistent H&E staining

[Teri Johnson]

Julie,

Are the inconsistencies consistent among different sections? In other words, with additional sections, are you seeing the paler areas in the same places or different ones? If you section it today, are the pale areas in the same place as when you sectioned it previously?

If it is the same area across multiple sections it is likely your tissues and not inadequate deparaffinization. Drying artifact is often seen in epithelial tissue structures and can happen when the tissue is out of fixative or have been placed in alcohol (which dehydrates much more quickly) and then made into a swiss roll. It can be a huge problem with GI biopsies if they are placed on dry gauze or paper towel prior to being placed in fixative at the time of biopsy. In my experience, there is not much you can do to fix it. Just be aware of keeping your tissues wet when creating the next swiss roll sample.

Teri Johnson, HT(ASCP)QIHC
Manager Clinical Trial Testing
Genoptix, Inc.
SAN5, Rm. 2005
760.516.5954 (office)
760.516.6201 (fax)


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