PAS x40 - RCPA

Immunohistochemistry:• we generally perform immunoperoxidase (IP) stains on theparaffin processed tissue because the stains are durable andthe slides can be shown at meetings and stored indefinitely• some laboratories use alkaline phosphatase stains on paraffinsections because the dye is less toxic• some laboratories use immunofluorescence (IF) because it ismore sensitive but photographs are required to record stains,as the fluorescence fades• we use IF when urgent results are requested because thesections can be examined less than an hour after collection,or when Goodpasture’s disease is a possibility• for IF, select about 5mm of cortex– either transport the tissue very rapidly to the laboratory– or chill it in phosphate buffered saline (PBS)– or place the tissue in appropriate transport medium, e.g. Michel’smedium, and transport it routinely; the antigens are protected andstaining can be performed several days after collection– freeze, section and stain