Product for the preparation of cyto-histological samples for optical microscopy.
To show ferric iron, collagen and connective tissue in sections.
PRINCIPLE
Potassium ferrocyanide reacts with ferric ions of hemosiderin in acid environment to form a coloured salt: Prussian blue. Reaction takes place in ionic form as follows: 4 Fe++++ 3K4Fe(CN)6 = Fe4(Fe(CN)6)3+ 12 K+
A counterstain with Van Gieson Picrofuchsine differentiates collagen from connective tissue.
WARNING
False positive reactions are due to three main causes:
- Solution is too old (ferrocyanide-hydrochloric acid solution should be prepared just before use),
- Ferric ions contaminate glassware or the flotation bath’s water (rust). To avoid this, never touch solution with metallic objects.
- Asbestosis: asbestos can be present in pathologic tissues and ferric salts on its fibres can react positively
METHOD
1) Bring section to distilled water
2) Put on the section 10 drops of reagent A and 10 drops of reagent B: leave to act 20 minutes.
3) Wash well in distilled water.
4) Put on the section 10 drops of reagent C: leave to act 10 minutes.
5) Wash in distilled water.
6) Dehydrate quickly through ascending alcohols, stop for 1 minute at the last absolute ethanol. Clear in xylene and mount.