Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Polarization of M1 and M2 Human Monocyte-Derived Cells and Analysis with Flow Cytometry upon Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
10:43

Polarization of M1 and M2 Human Monocyte-Derived Cells and Analysis with Flow Cytometry upon Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection

Published on: September 18, 2020

Contamination of peripheral hematopoeitic stem cell products with a Mycobacterium mucogenicum-related pathogen

Imad Kassis1, Ilana Oren, Sima Davidson

  • 1Infectious Diseases Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, and Bruce-Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel. i_kassis@rambam.health.gov.il

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|May 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Contaminated ice cubes led to Mycobacterium mucogenicum infections in stem cell products. Switching to reusable ice trays stopped the outbreak, highlighting a critical contamination source in cell processing.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cell Therapy

Background:

  • Contamination in cellular products poses a significant risk to patient safety.
  • Mycobacterium species are known opportunistic pathogens that can cause severe infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the source of Mycobacterium mucogenicum contamination in peripheral blood stem cell products.
  • To implement control measures to prevent further outbreaks.

Main Methods:

  • Bacterial isolation and identification from stem cell products.
  • Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to compare isolates with published sequences.
  • Environmental investigation to trace the source of contamination.

Main Results:

  • A gram-positive rod, closely related to Mycobacterium mucogenicum, was isolated from 6 of 45 peripheral blood stem cell units.
  • The contamination was traced to ice cubes used during the processing of these products.
  • Replacing ice machine-generated ice with reusable ice trays successfully terminated the outbreak.

Conclusions:

  • Ice cubes used in cell processing can be a source of Mycobacterium mucogenicum contamination.
  • Implementing strict environmental controls, such as using reusable ice trays, is crucial for preventing contamination in cellular products.
  • Prompt identification and source tracing are vital for controlling outbreaks in healthcare settings.

More Related Videos

Intradermal Inoculation of Mycobacterium avium in the Mouse Ear09:20

Intradermal Inoculation of Mycobacterium avium in the Mouse Ear

Published on: July 3, 2025

Use of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Assess the Origin of Myelodysplastic Syndrome06:39

Use of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Assess the Origin of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Published on: October 3, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Tuberculosis01:23

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health concern, primarily targeting the lungs and spreading through airborne transmission. Infection begins when aerosolized droplet nuclei, expelled by an individual with active TB, are inhaled by another person. These microscopic particles carry Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB. Upon reaching the alveoli, the bacilli are engulfed by alveolar macrophages. However, due to their specialized lipid-rich cell wall, these pathogens...
Lineage Commitment01:21

Lineage Commitment

Commitment is the  process whereby stem cells:
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...