Evaluating the Congo red staining method with the aim to solve problematics in the work process and optimize amyloidosis diagnostics

Sammanfattning: Some diagnostic methods have been used for a very long time. Congo red stain saw the light of day in 1883, and quickly became important in many fields of use. Nowadays we recognize the importance of Congo red in diagnose of amyloid diseases. However, the technique and experience needed throughout the process from a suspected case to the diagnose is of greate importance. When diagnostic difficulties appeared in a few patient cases at the local hospital in Gävle, Sweden, a solution was needed. A delayed diagnose could have a potential devastating outcome seen in the perspective of the patient. Therefore it is crucial to have both sensitive and specific diagnostic methods that are optimized against the sought pathogenesis. This study aspired to find the solution to the difficulties in diagnostic work, brought to light by a pathology doctor at the hospital. Several different methodical procedures are used throughout the process, and were evaluated with focus lying on the thickness of the tissue, the staining method and the microscopes used in diagnostics. Different thickness of the tissue was cut and stained. The results demonstrated the importance of proper techniques and methods in preparing the tissue, and the tools to analyse it with. The thickness of tissue and the lightsource in the microscope played a cruicial role in diagnostics. Additionally it showed the importance to continue to raise the quality of work and make progress in the diagnostic and scientific field, possibly by finding new applications for old methods.