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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Immunohistochemical Analysis in the Rat Central Nervous System and Peripheral Lymph Node Tissue Sections
Published on: November 14, 2016
[The usefulness of immunohistochemical methods for the anatomopathologic diagnosis]
F C Schmitt1, P A Kimaid, P F Campos
1Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP.
Insights
Immunohistochemical staining methods are valuable for diagnosing histologic specimens. These techniques confirmed diagnoses, aided differential diagnoses, and provided unexpected findings in over 75% of cases.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Histology
Background:
- Morphologic diagnosis is crucial in pathology.
- Immunohistochemical staining offers advanced diagnostic capabilities.
- The utility of these methods requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the value of immunohistochemical staining in morphologic diagnosis.
- To determine the impact of immunohistochemistry on diagnostic outcomes.
- To evaluate its role in differential diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 949 histologic specimens submitted for consultation.
- Application of immunoperoxidase staining techniques (PAP or ABC).
- Comparison of immunohistochemical results with original morphologic diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Immunohistochemical stains confirmed original diagnoses in 49.3% of cases.
- Definitive diagnoses were made from differential lists in 25.7% of cases.
- Contributory or unsuspected diagnoses were rendered in 13% of cases, with non-contributory results in 12%.
Conclusions:
- Immunohistochemical staining provides essential information for definitive diagnosis.
- The technique is particularly useful for differentiating between carcinoma, lymphoma, and melanoma.
- Fixation methods may influence antigen preservation and diagnostic contribution.
Abstract:
In order to determine the value of immunohistochemical staining methods for the morphologic diagnosis, we studied 949 histologic specimens sent for consultation to the Immunohistochemistry Laboratory of Department of Pathology of the Medical School of Botucatu in the period 1984-1989. All case were submitted to the immunoperoxidase staining with the methods PAP or ABC. Immunohistochemical stains confirmed the original morphologic diagnosis in 468 cases (49.3%); made the definitive diagnosis from a list of differential diagnostic possibilities in 244 cases (25.7%); provided contributory information in 74 cases (7.8%); were non-contributory in 114 cases (12%) and rendered an unsuspected diagnosis in 49 cases (5.2%). In some cases with non-contributory information the differences in methods of fixation might have led to suboptimal preservation of tissue antigens. The immunohistochemical staining may provide important and sometimes essential informations for definitive diagnosis. This technique was particularly useful for differential diagnosis between carcinoma, lymphoma and melanoma.
