Wn. Erber et al., AN ENHANCED IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL METHOD FOR STAINING BONE-MARROW TREPHINE SECTIONS, Journal of Clinical Pathology, 50(5), 1997, pp. 389-393
Aims - The detection of cellular antigens in fixed decalcified bone ma
rrow trephine (BMT) sections depends on the method of processing, the
nature of the antigen and antibody, antigen retrieval techniques, and
the sensitivity of the immunocytochemical method. This study evaluated
a tyramide enhanced avidin-biotin immunostaining method on formalin f
ixed decalcified BMT sections to determine whether the method could de
tect previously undetectable antigens. Methods - Nineteen BMT biopsies
from a range of haematological disorders were evaluated with 43 antib
odies to haemopoietic antigens using horseradish peroxidase and alkali
ne phosphatase detection methods, using the tyramide enhanced avidin-b
iotin immunostaining method. Results - Compared with standard avidin-b
iotin immunostaining methods the tyramide enhanced immunostaining meth
od showed enhanced signal intensity, gave positive labelling for antig
ens that require pretreatment by other methods, and previously unreact
ive antigens were detected. Primary antibodies could be used at up to
200 times higher dilutions. Conclusion - The tyramide enhanced immunos
taining method, while retaining specificity, is highly sensitive and e
nables an increased number and range of antigens to be detected than p
reviously possible. The method could be applied to BMT sections for th
e routine diagnosis and classification of haematological disorders.