Cross contamination of viral specimens related to shell vial caps.
A cluster of poliovirus type 3-positive specimens cultured in shell vials led to the discovery of significant cross contamination between vials related to the type of vial cap. Simulated testing with colored media in the shell vials indicated that the most contamination occurred with the plastic snap cap and that the least occurred with the screw cap. Measures to prevent cross contamination in clinical virology laboratories are discussed.
Salmon
V C
VC
Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, Associated Regional and University Pathologists, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.
Kenyon
B R
BR
Overall
J C
JC
D002498:Centrifugation / Q000295:instrumentation; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D017955:Poliovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014773:Virology / Q000295:instrumentation*