[Basic features in immunohistological technique (author's transl)]

Light and electron microscopic demonstration of antigens in tissue is possible by means of labelled antibodies. Direct and indirect immuno-fluorescence techniques and recently also the peroxidase method permit a broader application of this principle. The peroxidase technique has the advantage of requiring less equipment and of providing the possibility to obtain durable specimens. The fluorescence technique permits the association of fluorescence phenomena with certain tissue structures by means of secondary "staining", for instance localization of specific hormone production sites. This allows functional morphological deductions in healthy and pathological conditions. Flawless techniques and controls are required before a specific reaction can be acknowledged since auto-fluorescence phenomena as well as pseudo-specific and cross-reactions are sources of error leading to wrong conclusions. A standardization of methods must therefore be attempted.