AIMTo describe the technique of immunofluorescence on paraffin embedded tissue sections and discuss the potential pitfalls with an in depth review of literature.
METHODSImmunofluorescence is integral to diagnostic renal pathology. Immunofluorescence on paraffin embedded renal biopsies (IF-P) after enzyme treatment has been described in literature, however has not found widespread use in renal pathology laboratories. In our laboratory proteinase K digestion of paraffin embedded renal biopsy material was standardized and applied prospectively in cases where immunofluorescence on fresh frozen tissue was non contributory or not possible. Diagnostic utility was assessed and in a cohort of cases comparison of intensity of staining with routine immunofluorescence was performed.
RESULTSOver the 5-year study period, of the 3141 renal biopsies received IF-P was performed on 246 cases (7.7%) and was interpretable with optimal digestion in 214 cases (6.8%). It was of diagnostic utility in the majority of cases, which predominantly included glomerular disease. Nondiagnostic IF-P was found in membranous nephropathy (2 of 11 cases), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (2 of 32 cases), lupus nephritis (1 of 25 cases), post infectious glomerulonephritis (1 of 11 cases) and chronic glomerulonephritis (3 of 8 cases
Observational Study(1+) for the diagnostic immunoglobulin/complement. Technically assessment of immunofluorescence on the paraffin embedded tissue was found to be easier with clearly observed morphology, however a false positive staining pattern was observed in under-digested tissue.
CONCLUSIONAs a "salvage" technique, immunofluorescence on paraffin embedded renal biopsies is of great diagnostic utility, however not without pitfalls.
Covid-19 pandemic has affected the whole word medically, economically and emotionally. It is being considered as the biggest pandemic after the Spanish flu, with very high degree of morbidity and mortality in those with complications. The diagnostic and treatment criteria of this novel virus are being updated frequently as nothing much is known about it. This highlights the importance of hematology lab parameters in Covid diagnosis and prediction of disease progression. Multiple studies on complete blood counts and it’s derived parameters have been conducted in patients of Covid-19 however limited literature is available which discusses the morphology of circulating blood cells in Covid-19 cases. This short communication is presented with the purpose of highlighting the peripheral blood findings of 50 lab confirmed Covid-19 cases admitted at Super Specialty Pediatric Hospital and Post Graduate Teaching Hospital, NOIDA.
Facial nerve schwannoma occurring within the parotid gland is a rare tumour. We report a case of schwannoma within the parotid gland in a young female patient, who underwent ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and subsequent surgical excision of the lesion. The lesion showed hyperintensity on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MRI. There was no adjacent lymphadenopathy. Although hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted MRI could suggest malignant tumours, the characteristic "string sign" provided the clue for the diagnosis of schwannoma.
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