Aims-To assess the consistency and reproducibility of assessment of c-erbB-2 immunostaining, and to examine some of the problems relating to inter-and intraobserver variability in the documentation of positive staining; to profile the spectrum of cytoplasmic and membranous staining in a wide range of tumour types. Methods-A total of 283 neoplasms were examined for immunohistochemical expression of the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. Three independent observers were required to assess intensity both of membrane and cytoplasmic staining on a three point and then a four point scale. Extent of positive staining was also assessed on a two point scale. A minimum of two weeks elapsed between assessments using the differing scales.

~~ ~Exfoliated vaginal epithelial cells with attached bacteria, termed 'clue cells', which were procured from a patient with non-specific vaginitis, were stained with ruthenium red and examined by transmission electron microscopy. The attached bacteria appeared to adhere by means of an outer fibrillar coat. An epithelial tissue culture cell line (McCoy) and human red blood cells to which strains of Gardnerella vaginalis attached were similarly examined. The adherence of G. vaginalis to the epithelial cell line appeared to be mediated by an outer fibrillar coat while adherence to red cells appeared to be mediated by fimbriae. Transmission electron microscopy was performed on the Gardnerella strains used. Thin sections of tissue-cultureadherent strains revealed a dense outer fibrillar coat whereas the surface of the haemagglutinating strains showed fine fimbriae. Negative staining of haemagglutinating strains demonstrated fimbriae on a minority of organisms.

Aims-To compare differences in cell proliferation indexes and apoptotic indexes between cutaneous basal and squamous cell carcinomas, in an attempt to suggest an explanation for the differences in their biological behaviour. Methods-Forty cases of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 40 cases of moderately and well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were retrieved from the archives. Sections, 4 gm thick, were cut from formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissue in each case and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. These were then examined for mitotic and apoptotic figures per 1000 cells. Sections from the same cases were also immunostained with the mouse monoclonal antibody Ki67 (MIBI); positive nuclear staining was counted per 1000 cells. Results-No significant differences were found between the mitotic indexes and apoptotic indexes in these tumours. There was, however, a significant difference in Ki67 (MIBI) staining, with greater staining in the squamous cell carcinomas. Conclusion-Estimation of the mitotic and apoptotic indexes did not reveal any differences between these two tumour types. The proliferation indexes, assessed by Ki67 immunostaining, did differ. This may be one of the factors underlying the more aggressive behaviour of SCC. ( Clin Pathol 1996;49:549-551) Keywords: skin, neoplasm, proliferation. Department of

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