Bone marrow one step fixation-decalcification in Lowy FMA solution: an immunohistological and in situ hybridization study

The immunoreactivity of paraffin embedded bone marrow biopsies (BMB) was studied following a one step 20-hour-fixation-decalcification in Lowy formalin mercuric chlorid acid solution which permits excellent histological stainings. Antibodies reactive with myeloid, megakaryocytic, erythroid cells, T and B lymphocytes, mastocytes and metastatic cells were compared. Nearly all antibodies working on paraffin sections were demonstrated on Lowy FMA fixed BMB. Special care was taken to define an optimal working dilution. Trypsinization was not necessary. A slide microwave pre-treatment appeared essential before testing CD20 L26, CD8, CD3, CD34, MB1 Kappa and Lambda antibodies. It was suitable for UCHL1, LN2, CD30 antibodies. The same fixative allowed an m RNA Kappa or Lambda in myeloma and EBER 1 EBV RNAs in HIV lymphoma visualization by in situ hybridization. The safety handling of the toxic mercuric chloride component is discussed.