Abstract
The application of microwave irradiation from a domestic microwave oven to the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase immunophenotyping has resulted in substantial time saving of the procedure. This has been achieved without compromising the quality of the final preparation. It can be carried out on peripheral blood smears, bone marrow smears and cytocen-trifuge preparations on fresh slides, slides that have been stored at −20°C wrapped in aluminium foil and unfixed smears left at room temperature for up to 8 days.