ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences

 

 

IMMUNOPATHOLOGY

In immunopathology specific tissue elements are localised in tissue sections (frozen or paraffin) using immunological reagents. These reagents are prepared from human and animal body fluids to very high levels of purity and specificity and do not normally present a hazard, however there are reports of allergic responses in some individuals.100 Many of the compounds used to colour the preparations, such as DAB (diaminobenzidine), are potentially carcinogenic and must be handled with extreme care.

Some immunopathological techniques use conjugates of fluorescent dyes and immunological sera to produce a visible reaction site after excitation with a fluorescent source. U.V. light is harmful to the eyes if viewed directly.

 

BACK to the top of the Glossary Contents List
BACK to the top of the Chemical Contents List

REFERENCES