Special Stain, Gram
Also known as: GRAM SS
Use
This is a histochemical special stain (Gram stain) used to detect and differentiate Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in tissue or cellblock specimens. As a technical stain-and-return service, it assists pathologists in identifying bacterial organisms within fixed, paraffin‑embedded tissues or cellblock preparations for diagnostic evaluation.
Special Instructions
Submit with an Anatomic Pathology Test Request Form (ARUP form #32960) or via electronic ordering. Use tissue transport kit (ARUP supply #47808) for shipping blocks or positively charged slides. Protect specimens from excessive heat. Transport room temperature or refrigerated; ship in cooled container during summer months.
Limitations
Unacceptable specimens include nonrepresentative tissue types or depleted specimens. Slides or blocks should be prepared using formalin fixation and paraffin embedding; frozen specimens are unacceptable. The test is a technical stain-only service and does not include interpretive reporting by ARUP.
New York Approved
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 6664-7
Result Turnaround Time
1-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Tissue (Fixed (Non-FFPE))
Volume
Not provided
Minimum Volume
1 slide
Container
Tissue block or 2 unstained, 3‑ to 5‑micron thick positively charged slides in tissue transport kit
Collection Instructions
Formalin fix (10 percent neutral buffered formalin preferred) and paraffin embed; cells must be prepared into a cellblock. Protect from excessive heat. Transport in ARUP tissue transport kit (#47808).
Storage Instructions
Room temperature or refrigerated; ship in cooled container during summer months.
Causes for Rejection
Nonrepresentative tissue type; depleted specimens
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Indefinitely |
| Refrigerated | Indefinitely |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |