STANDARDIZATION OF REAGENTS AND METHODS USED IN CYTOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL PRACTICE WITH EMPHASIS ON DYES, STAINS AND CHROMOGENIC REAGENTS

The need for the standardization of reagents and methods used in the h istology laboratory is demonstrated. After definitions of dyes, stains , and chromogenic reagents, existing standards and standards organizat ions are discussed. This is followed by practical instructions on how to standardize dyes and stains through the preparation of reference ma terials and the development of chromatographic methods. An overview is presented of the problems concerned with standardization of the Roman owsky-Giemsa stain for cytological and histological application. Final ly, the problem of how to convince routine dye and stain users of the need for standardization in their histology laboratories is discussed.