title: Standardization of reagents and methods used in cytological and histological practice with emphasis on dyes, stains and chromogenic reagents.
abstract: The need for the standardization of reagents and methods used in the histology laboratory is demonstrated. After definitions of dyes, stains, and chromogenic reagents, existing standards and standards organizations are discussed. This is followed by practical instructions on how to standardize dyes and stains through the preparation of reference materials and the development of chromatographic methods. An overview is presented of the problems concerned with standardization of the Romanowsky-Giemsa stain for cytological and histological application. Finally, the problem of how to convince routine dye and stain users of the need for standardization in their histology laboratories is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology 134, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: De Leenheer
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Horobin
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Schulte
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Liedekerke
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Wittekind
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002863:Chromogenic Compounds / Q000592:standards*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000592:standards*; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control; D012015:Reference Standards; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D002863:Chromogenic Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents