Abstract

The present work was undertaken in order to test the value of a tissue transport-medium (Histocon) for direct immunofluorescence studies. For this purpose one skin biopsy was performed on each forearm of 26 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. One of the specimens was left in ice-cold Histocon solution for 4, 8, or 20 hours, and the other was immediately quick-frozen. The results of the immunofluorescence tests with the two methods yielded similar results. It is concluded that the solution allows the preservation of tissue-fixed immunoglobulins and complement during short periods of transport.