Pretreatment for immunohistochemical staining simplified.

This investigation compared several procedures for the pretreatment of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections before their immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that a simpler approach than what is traditionally being practiced today is possible and deserving of wider use as it not only shortens the total assay time but may also contribute to further the ongoing attempts to standardize immunohistochemistry. A detailed description of the method of choice is being given. Also included is an evaluation of several commercial reagents that are presently being promoted for the simultaneous deparaffinization, rehydration, and antigen retrieval.