Pathology Outlines

Stains & molecular markers
BG8

Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.

Topic Completed: 1 July 2013

Minor changes: 11 December 2020

Copyright: 2003-2021, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

PubMed Search: BG8

Page views in 2020: 442

Page views in 2021 to date: 15

Table of Contents

Definition / general | Uses by pathologists | Positive staining - disease | Negative staining

Cite this page: Pernick N, Hamilton K. BG8. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainsBG8.html. Accessed January 18th, 2021.

Definition / general

Also called Anti-Lewis-Y or Lewis Y antigen, BG-8

Mechanism: detects the Lewis Y antigen, type 2 chain

Note: Methylobacter albus BG8 is a gram negative bacteria using methane as its carbon source

Interpretation: cytoplasmic staining, diffuse and intense

Uses by pathologists

Distinguish adenocarcinoma (96-100% are positive) from mesothelioma (0-7%, Am J Surg Pathol 2003;27:1031, Am J Surg Pathol 1989;135:931, Am J Surg Pathol 2000;24:598, Am J Surg Pathol 1997;21:1409)
Usually used in a panel, such as with calretinin and MOC-31 (Mod Pathol 2006;19:514, Pathology 2009;41:140)

Positive staining - disease

Adenocarcinoma (96%), thymic carcinoma (Hum Pathol 2003;34:1155)

Negative staining

Mesothelioma (sometimes focal or weak staining in epithelium)