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Method for inactivating and fixing unstained smear preparations of mycobacterium tuberculosis for improved laboratory
Pamela Chedore1, Cecelia Th'ng, Dennis H Nolan
1Laboratories Branch, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. pam.chedore@moh.gov.on.ca
Abstract:
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.