RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Pitfalls of formalin fixation for determination of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 475
OP 477
DO 10.1136/jcp.52.6.475
VO 52
IS 6
A1 Chowdhury, S M
A1 Broomhead, V
A1 Spickett, G P
A1 Wilkinson, R
YR 1999
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/52/6/475.abstract
AB Sera can produce nuclear or perinuclear immunofluorescence staining in neutrophils which may be caused by antibodies with differing antigenic specificities. These include perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (P-ANCA), granulocyte specific antinuclear antibody (GS-ANA), and antinuclear antibody (ANA). There is controversy over the value of formalin fixation of neutrophils in differentiating antibodies giving selective or preferential reaction with the nuclear or perinuclear area of neutrophils. In a comparative study of 77 sera, formalin fixation caused inconsistency, nonspecific effects, and false positivity owing to enhanced fluorescence. If formalin fixed neutrophils are used in the routine diagnostic laboratory, this will add confusion to the interpretation of the ANCA assay.