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Mycobacterial cross contamination during radiometric culturing
A M Vannier1, J J Tarrand, P R Murray
1Division of Laboratory Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Cross contamination with Mycobacterium avium occurred in three cases using the BACTEC 460 TB system. A malfunctioning needle sterilization heating block was identified as the cause of these pseudobacteremias.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pseudobacteremias, or false-positive blood cultures, can arise from contamination during specimen collection or processing.
- The BACTEC radiometric blood culture system is widely used for detecting microorganisms in clinical samples.
Observation:
- Three instances of cross-contamination involving Mycobacterium avium were identified.
- These contaminations occurred during the culturing of mycobacteria using the BACTEC 460 TB system.
Findings:
- A specific malfunction in the needle sterilization heating block of the BACTEC 460 TB system was demonstrated.
- This equipment failure led to the observed cross-contamination events.
Implications:
- Highlights the critical importance of equipment maintenance and sterilization protocols in mycobacterial culturing.
- Underscores the need for vigilance in identifying and preventing pseudobacteremias to ensure accurate patient diagnosis and treatment.
- Suggests potential improvements in the BACTEC system's quality control measures for mycobacterial detection.