Use of spoligotype analysis to detect laboratory cross-contamination.
Spoligotype analysis identified false-positive isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis caused by laboratory cross-contamination. Spoligotyping is faster, is less expensive than DNA fingerprinting, and can be used with a variety of media. Patients were reevaluated and had medications discontinued as a result of this investigation. Months of unnecessary patient follow-up and treatment were avoided.
Nivin
B
B
New York City Department of Health, Tuberculosis Control Program, New York 10007, USA.
Driscoll
J
J
Glaser
T
T
Bifani
P
P
Munsiff
S
S
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling