Journal of Clinical Pathology 2008;61:1184-1192
DEMYSTIFIED
Technical pitfalls potentially affecting diagnoses in immunohistochemistry
1 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
2 Department of Pathology, SCDU Pathological Anatomy, ASO S Luigi–Orbassano, Torino, Italy
Correspondence to:
Professor G Bussolati, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Turin, Via Santena 7, 10126 Torino, Italy; gianni.bussolati{at}unito.it
Result of the immunohistochemical reactions routinely used in diagnostic surgical pathology should be properly interpreted, since false results, related to technical and interpretative pitfalls may lead to incorrect diagnosis. The main sources of such pitfalls are reviewed, analytically described and related to different steps (fixation, tissue processing and embedding, decalcification, antigen retrieval) which may affect the accuracy of immunohistochemistry. In addition, the presence of endogenous enzyme activity, improper binding of avidin to endogenous biotin, incorrect use of antibodies, chromogen and detection systems, as well as incorrect interpretation may produce unreliable data. The high frequency and extension of such pitfalls make mandatory the use of internal and external controls and adoption of cross-validation programmes. The present study, supported by an extensive review of the related literature, is intended as a guideline leading to proper interpretation of immunohistochemical data, an essential component of the diagnostic process. Experience on the antigen retrieval procedures for different antigens is also presented.
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
(2009). Noteworthy. Vet Pathol
46: 361-361
[Full Text]
- Full Text
- Full Text (PDF)
-
All Versions of this Article:
jcp.2007.047720v1
61/11/1184 most recent - Submit a response
- Alert me when this article is cited
- Alert me when eLetters are posted
- Alert me if a correction is posted
- Citation Map
Services
- Email this link to a friend
- Similar articles in this journal
- Similar articles in PubMed
- Add article to my folders
- Download to citation manager
- Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Google Scholar
PubMed
Topic Collections
Bookmark with
Register for free content
The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.
Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.
