title: Simplified fixative medium for direct immunofluorescence in skin biopsies.
abstract: The main limitation for the use of direct immunofluorescence in skin biopsies was the necessity for frozen tissue. In 1973 Michel et al reported use of a liquid fixative, consisting of ammonium sulfate, N-ethyl-maleimide, magnesium sulfate, and potassium citrate, for handling skin biopsy specimens. The present study introduces a simplified liquid fixative medium consisting only of ammonium sulfate and saline. Comparisons of direct immunofluorescence findings in biopsy specimens transported in these two transport media and in fresh-frozen specimens revealed only minimal differences between the three different procedures.
mesh_terms: D000645:Ammonium Sulfate; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D005404:Fixatives; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005615:Freezing; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000473:pathology; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D000645:Ammonium Sulfate