[Histonet] Artifact

[Campbell, Tasha M.]

Can anyone help me out with the artifact I am getting on my slides?  It is on all of them, IHC, H&E, specials.  It looks like formalin pigment, but I use 10%NBF so should I really be getting formalin pigment this much on my slides?  I am a GI lab. I use microwave processing. Specimens are held 24-48 hours in formalin before being processed. It is on almost all my slides. Everyday.  Its very frustrating trying to figure out the problem.  If it is formalin pigment, how can I prevent it?  My microwave process is a rinse in 95% alcohol, then 100% reagent alcohol for 8 min, Isopropyl for 9 minutes, and Paraffin for 14 min.  I also use a slide etcher to label my slides and there are always dust particles in my water bath and getting on my slides.  Could this be causing an issue?

I tried to add a screenshot of the slides with the pigment but apparently adding anything like that to the message will not let the email go through.  So I can privately email the images if someone could help me.  Thanks!



Tasha Campbell, B.S.,HTL(ASCP)
Frederick Gastroenterology Associates
310 W. 9th St.
Frederick, MD 21701
301-695-6800 ext. 144


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