title: Durability of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) slides stored at room temperature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prior studies suggested that direct immunofluorescence (DIF) slides can be stored at room temperature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the durability of DIF slides stored at room temperature for 5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of 83 DIF slides archived at room temperature during 2010. The pattern of immunoreactants was compared with those noted in the original report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Loss of reactivity was limited to cases with weak fluorescence at original diagnosis. Loss of IgG was noted in 12.5% of cases, IgA in 12%, C3 in 10%, and IgM in 9.75%. Fibrin showed no loss of reactivity. Preservation of immunofluorescence was not related to site of deposition. Overall, a reliable diagnosis could be made in 75 of 79 archived cases (94.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cases had been archived for periods varying from 4.5 to 5 years. Variations in processing and fluorochromes could affect durability. We have no way of knowing how long slides had been exposed to ultraviolet light at the time of initial examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DIF showed excellent durability in slides kept at room temperature for 5 years.
authors.affiliation: Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York, New York; Dermatology Department, Kasr Al Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Amira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elbendary
authors.affiliation: Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York, New York; Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.affiliation: Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York, New York. Electronic address: elstond@musc.edu.
authors.forename: Dirk M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Elston
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: direct immunofluorescence; room temperature; storing