title: Use of spoligotype analysis to detect laboratory cross-contamination.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health, Tuberculosis Control Program, New York 10007, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nivin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Glaser
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bifani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Munsiff
mesh_terms: 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