Special histochemical stains are used to detect intra- and extra-cellular components, amyloid and microorganisms in paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Iron and Wright-Giemsa stains can be used for blood and marrow smears as well.
Special Stains - Group I
Special stains for microorganisms:
- Acid Fast Bacillus (AFB)
- Gomori Methenamine Silver (GMS)
CPT Code:
Group 1: 88312 (per antibody)
Special Stains - Group 2
All other special stains except immunocytochemistry:
- Iron
- Reticulin
- Wright-Giemsa
- Congo Red
- Giemsa (tissue)
- Mucicarmine
CPT Code:
Group 2: 88313 (per antibody)
Specimen Requirements:
-
Bone Marrow Aspirate:
- If aspiration, syringe requires internal pre-coating to prevent clotting, diluted sodium heparin (green-top) tube should be utilized. Do not send syringes. 2-3 ml aseptically aspirated in sodium heparin (green-top) tube. Cautionary Note: Lithium heparin also comes in green-top collection tubes. Do not collect in lithium heparin.
- Refrigerate specimen. Use cold pack for transport. Be sure cold pack is not in direct contact with specimen during transport.
- All specimens should be shipped to Genzyme on the day of collection. Delay in shipping may compromise cell viability and results.
-
Peripheral Blood:
- 5-10 ml in sodium heparin (green-top) tube.
- Refrigerate specimen. Use cold pack for transport. Be sure cold pack is not in direct contact with specimen during transport.
- All specimens should be shipped to Genzyme on day of collection. Delay in shipping may compromise cell viability and results.
-
Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Block/Sections:
- Refrigerate specimen. Use cold pack for transport. Be sure cold pack is not in direct contact with specimen during transport.
Turnaround Time:
2-3 days
Client Services:
Oncology/Pathology
800-447-5816
Specimen Services/Pickup:
877-246-1226