<\/span><\/h2>\nImmunohistochemistry (IHC) is considered an advanced form of histopathology<\/span>. Immunohistochemistry is generally not used initially, but is added when routine \/ regular histological<\/span> the test is insufficient to form a diagnosis.<\/p>\nIHC uses primary<\/span> antibodies<\/span> to tag a protein, then use a secondary antibody<\/span> which is linked to the primary. In immunoperoxidase staining, an antibody binds to a enzyme<\/span>, peroxidase, which catalyzes a reaction in which the protein specifically stains brown. IHC can also involve fluorescently labeled antibodies so that when viewed under a light microscope a certain pattern is observed from the emitted fluorescence.<\/p>\nThe IHC pattern is considered diagnostic, which shows nuclear<\/span>, membranous or cytoplasmic patterns. IHC is often used in situations where the presence or absence of certain proteins can form a basis for a diagnosis. It can also be used to distinguish between two different disease processes that might otherwise appear similar to pathologist<\/span>.<\/p>\n<\/span>How is immunohistochemistry performed?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe most common process for preparing immunohistochemical slides is as follows:<\/p>\n
\n- Tissue fixation (in general, IHC stains are fixed with formalin)<\/li>\n
- Embedding the tissue (in paraffin)<\/li>\n
- Sectioning of tissues.<\/li>\n
- Recovery (done with the application of heat or proteolytic<\/span> enzymes<\/span>)<\/li>\n
- Assembly and dehydration.<\/li>\n
- Cleaning and observation of the slides.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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<\/span>What are the advantages and disadvantages of immunohistochemistry?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe advantages of IHC include:<\/p>\n