Evaluation of cell cycle and intestinal metaplasia related immunohistochemistry data in esophageal biopsy specimen by optical, virtual microscopy and digital slide based automated…

Background: Cell cycle related protein determinations in Barrett esophagitis, reflux esophagitis, healthy esophageal and cardiac biopsy specimens can yield important data. Immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation on optical microscope is a time-consuming and semi-quantitative method. Application of digital slides and virtual microscopy for manual and automated counting can enhance this procedure. Aims: Determination of PCNA, p53, SIMA, LIMA expression data on routine esophageal biopsy sections and comparison of traditional to digital counting methods developed in our laboratory. Methods: 30 healthy esophagus, 30 ref…