title: A pseudo outbreak of tuberculosis.
abstract: Three cases of suspected tuberculosis were diagnosed over a ten day period at an oncology unit. Case finding was carried out and six further cases were diagnosed. However, doubts were raised about these diagnoses and a review of the outbreak investigation was carried out. Investigation of laboratory procedures found that the 'outbreak' was likely to be due to a contaminated phenol red solution. This incident highlights the importance of a critical evaluation of outbreak investigations, and the need for close collaboration between clinicians, epidemiologists and laboratory staff.
authors.affiliation: Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shears
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*