Glucose oxidase immunoenzyme methodology as a substitute for fluorescence microscopy in the clinical laboratory.

Enzymes as markers for antigens or antibodies in immunohistochemical procedures have several advantages over commonly used fluorochrome labels. These include use of a regular light microscope and the ability to get permanently stable slide preparations. Glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.2.3.4), being absent in mammalian tissue, provides no background staining, such as that seen with the commonly used horseradish peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7) owing to peroxidase-like activity in tissues. A glucose oxidase histochemical method is detailed that is useful for detection of human antibodies; it can be easily used in clinical laboratories as a substitute for fluorescent techniques.