Immunochemistry In Clinical Laboratory Medicine

The rapid growth of specific protein estimations in the clinical laboratory over the last 10 years has been due to advances both in methodology and in the understanding of the role of the various plasma proteins in health and disease. This expansion has been made possible by the development of both gel phase and fluid phase techniques for the estimation of proteins and the ready availability of antisera to individual plasma proteins. The specificity of the immunological reaction has allowed the more precise identification and estimation of individual plasma proteins than was possible with dye binding or other chemical techniques, but at the same time these methods have introduced other possible errors and pitfalls. Advances in understanding of the structure and function of various plasma proteins has pointed the way to new clinical applications of plasma protein estimation in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The Symposium, of which these are the proceedings, was planned to bring together a number of experts in the field to discuss the available methods and their clinical application.

The rapid growth of specific protein estimations in the clinical laboratory over the last 10 years has been due to advances both in methodology and in the understanding of the role of the various plasma proteins in health and disease. This expansion has been made possible by the development of both gel phase and fluid phase techniques for the estimation of proteins and the ready availability of antisera to individual plasma proteins. The specificity of the immunological reaction has allowed the more precise identification and estimation of individual plasma proteins than was possible with dye binding or other chemical techniques, but at the same time these methods have introduced other possible errors and pitfalls. Advances in understanding of the structure and function of various plasma proteins has pointed the way to new clinical applications of plasma protein estimation in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The Symposium, of which these are the proceedings, was planned to bring together a number of experts in the field to discuss the available methods and their clinical application.

Antibodies tagged with fuorescent markers have been used in histochemistry for over 50 years. Although early applications were focused on the detection of microbial antigens in tissues, the use of immunocytochemical methods now has spread to include the det- tion of a wide array of antigens including proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids from virtually any organism. Today, immunohistochemistry is widely used to identify, in situ, various components of cells and tissues in both normal and pathological conditions. The method gains its strength from the extremely sensitive interaction of a specifc antibody with its antigen. For some scientifc areas, books have been published on applications of immu- cytochemical techniques specifc to that area. What distinguished Immunocytochemical Methods and Protocols from earlier books when it was frst published was its broad appeal to investigators across all disciplines, including those in both research and clinical settings. The methods and protocols p- sented in the frst edition were designed to be general in their application; the accompa- ing “Notes” provided the reader with invaluable assistance in adapting or troubleshooting the protocols. These strengths continued to hold true for the second edition and again for the third edition. Since the publication of the frst edition, the application of immuno- tochemical techniques in the clinical laboratory has continued to rise and this third edition provides methods that are applicable to basic research as well as to the clinical laboratory.

In a conceptually current, quick-reference, Question & Answer format, the second edition of Handbook of Practical Immunohistochemistry: Frequently Asked Questions continues to provide a comprehensive and yet concise state-of-the-art overview of the major issues specific to the field of immunohistochemistry. With links to the authors Immunohistochemical Laboratory website, this volume creates a current and up-to-date information system on immunohistochemistry. This includes access to tissue microarrays (TMA) of over 10,000 tumors and normal tissue to validate common diagnostic panels and provide the best reproducible data for diagnostic purposes. Fully revised and updated from the first edition, the new features of the second edition include over 200 additional questions or revised questions with an IHC panel to answer each question; over 250 new color photos and illustrations; over 20 new useful biomarkers; hundreds of new references; several new chapters to cover phosphoproteins, rabbit monoclonal antibodies, multiplex IHC stains, overview of predictive biomarkers, and integration of IHC into molecular pathology; many new coauthors who are international experts in a related field; many updated IHC panels using Geisinger IHC data collected from over 10,000 tumors and normal tissues; and updated appendices containing detailed antibody information for both manual and automated staining procedures. Comprehensive yet practical and concise, the Handbook of Practical Immunohistochemistry: Frequently Asked Questions, Second Edition will be of great value for surgical pathologists, pathology residents and fellows, cytopathologists, and cytotechnologists.

An updated edition provides a comprehensive list of antisera and monoclonal antibodies that have useful diagnostic applications.

This thoroughly updated Second Edition of Clinical Laboratory Medicine provides the most complete, current, and clinically oriented information in the field. The text features over 70 chapters--seven new to this edition, including medical laboratory ethics, point-of-care testing, bone marrow transplantation, and specimen testing--providing comprehensive coverage of contemporary laboratory medicine. Sections on molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics, and laboratory management plus the emphasis on interpretation and clinical significance of laboratory tests (why a test or series of tests is being done and what the results mean for the patient) make this a valuable resource for practicing pathologists, residents, fellows, and laboratorians. Includes over 800 illustrations, 353 in full color and 270 new to this edition. Includes a Self-Assessment and Review book.