A new application of BCG antibody for rapid screening of various tissue microorganisms.
BACKGROUND
In routine dermatopathology there is growing demand for a simple, fast, cost-effective, and highly sensitive screening tool for the detection of microorganisms.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine whether immunostaining with polyclonal anti-Mycobacterium bovis (BCG), which is known for its interspecies cross-reactivity, is a suitable screening method for many common microorganisms in dermatopathologic specimens.


METHODS
A total of 254 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin specimens of viral, protozoal, fungal, and bacterial infections were stained with appropriate histochemical stains and with anti-BCG.


RESULTS
Anti-BCG labeled bacteria and fungi with high sensitivity and minimal background staining, but did not react with spirochetes, viruses, or protozoa (Leishmania). The quality and sensitivity of anti-BCG staining were superior to conventional histochemical stains.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of its cross-reactivity with many bacteria and fungi as well as its high sensitivity and minimal background staining, the anti-BCG immunostain is a promising screening tool for the detection of the most common bacterial and fungal microorganisms in paraffin-embedded skin specimens.
Kutzner
H
H
Dermatohistologisches Gemeinschaftslabor, Friedrichshafen, Germany.
Argenyi
Z B
ZB
Requena
L
L
Rütten
A
A
Hügel
H
H
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000473:pathology; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology*; D016612:Paraffin Embedding; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000473:pathology; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000473:pathology; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000473:pathology; D013145:Spirochaetales Infections / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde