Summary
Traditional cytogenetic analysis from bone marrow aspirates is time consuming and frequently suboptimal due to poor viability of cells in culture. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with appropriate DNA probes is a potential alternative to routine cytogenetics. Our study examined the reliability of uptake of specific alpha satellite centromere probes from chromosome 18 (D18Z1) and X (DXZ1) and the Yq heterochromatin (pHY3.4) directly from routine hematological bone marrow smears. Altogether 34 separate hybridizations, performed on slides from 20 patients, were scored for fluorescence signals. Cells in interphase were examined with each probe using unstained slides. In addition Giemsa stained slides were destained and then used for interphase FISH. Between 412 and 631 cells were scored for the expected number of signals; 2 for the 18 centromere, 2 for the X centromere in females, one signal for the Yqh in males. The results showed the expected number of signals in 87–97% of cells with the 18 and X probes and 95–97% of cells with the Y probe. Interphase FISH is a reliable, reproducible technique for use on direct bone marrow smears.