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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 2002, p. 4077-4080, Vol. 40, No. 11
0095-1137/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.40.11.4077-4080.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Method for Inactivating and Fixing Unstained Smear Preparations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for Improved Laboratory Safety

Pamela Chedore,1* Cecelia Th'ng,1 Dennis H. Nolan,2 George M. Churchwell,2 David E. Sieffert,2 Yvonne M. Hale,2 and Frances Jamieson1

Laboratories Branch, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,1 Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories, Jacksonville, Florida2

Received 3 June 2002/ Returned for modification 9 July 2002/ Accepted 14 August 2002

The inactivation of smears that contain Mycobacterium tuberculosis for microscopy before removal of the material from a biosafety cabinet is an important safety factor in preventing the potential transmission of tuberculosis to laboratory workers. The fixing and inactivating properties of heat flaming, 70% ethanol, and 1, 3, and 5% phenol in ethanol for smears containing M. tuberculosis were investigated. Heat flaming failed to inactivate the smear material, whereas 5% phenol in ethanol successfully fixed and inactivated all smears containing M. tuberculosis both from concentrated sputum samples and from culture material.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Laboratories Branch, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 81 Resources Rd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M9P 3T1. Phone: (416) 235-5993. Fax: (416) 235-6013. E-mail: pam.chedore{at}moh.gov.on.ca.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, November 2002, p. 4077-4080, Vol. 40, No. 11
0095-1137/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.40.11.4077-4080.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

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