title: Effect of protease pretreatment on immunomorphologic demonstration of hepatitis-B-surface antigen in conventional paraffin-embedded liver biopsy material: quantitative evaluation.
abstract: The effect of protease pretreatment on the demonstration of hepatitis-B-surface antigen by immunofluorescence (IF) and the unlabeled peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique (PAP) in conventionally processed (formalin-fixed, paraffin-emmbedded) liver biopsy material was quantitatively assessed by microphotometry. Protease digestion significantly enhances the intensity of specific staining by both methods, and, in addition, suppresses non-specific background fluorescence. The sensitivity of the immunomorphologic test is significantly enhanced, and antigen in low amounts, for example hepatitis-B-surface antigen associated with liver cell membrane ('membrane' staining), is easily detected.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000473:pathology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D010232:Paraffin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D010232:Paraffin; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases