Re: [Histonet] AFB Control
Someone asked a similar question about 2 weeks ago, but about gram controls.
I included in my response that the technique also works for AFB, fungus and
I'm therefore reprinting my response from 2 weeks ago:
= = = = = = = = = =
Start with fresh, unfixed placenta or lung.
- If lung, slightly edematous works best.
- If placenta, press between towels several times, to try to get the excess
Gross tissue into 2-3 mm cubes.
Contact microbiology to let them know you are on your way (after previously
talking with the supervisor days earlier about your needs).
Have the microbiology prepare tubes of liquid incubating media (appropriate
for the type(s) of micro-organism(s) you need).
- Gram negative (E. coli works well)
- Gram positive
- AFB (non-pathogenic)
- Spirochetes (rarely is it ever syphilis. Usually some type of large
spirochete, unfortunately. When large spirochetes are positive with the
silver stains, the small syphilis are not being demonstrated yet.)
(Helicobacter, as far as I know, cannot be grown in incubating media in
routine microbiology labs.)
Incubate tissue in culture media in 37 degree C. incubator overnight.
Pour 10% NBF in tubes in morning, and allow to fix for 30-60 minutes. Pour
out formalin/incubating media mixture, and pour in fresh NBF. Allow to fix
Place tissues in cassettes, label, process as usual. Embed.
Write up cost containment report, on how you make X number of blocks of
control tissues, which would equal Y number of slides. Which, if you had to
buy them from an outside source would have cost you $Z amount of money. And
the cost for you to do this procedures was a little bit of tech time, a few
cassettes and some paraffin. Therefore, you just saved your facility lots of
money! Document the collaboration between Histology and Microbiology.
Everyone looks like a winner.
Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
William Beaumont Hospital
Royal Oak, MI 48073
----- Original Message -----
From: "Poteete, Jacquie A."
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2004 3:09 PM
Subject: [Histonet] AFB Control
> Hello all,
> Our Histology department has exhausted their supply of AFB control blocks.
> I'm sure I saw a method of inoculating tissue to prepare this control, but
> can't find it. They would appreciate any help anyone can give them.
> Jacquie Poteete MT(ASCP)QIHC
> Lead Technologist, IHC Laboratory
> Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa, OK
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