Sterilization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Erdman samples by antimicrobial fixation in a biosafety level 3 laboratory.
Incomplete sterilization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Erdman cultures followed 1 h of incubation in low concentrations of glutaraldehyde (0.5 and 1.0%) or azide. In contrast, 2.5% glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde (2 or 4%), Vesphine IIse or 5% formalin sterilized these samples after 1 h. These results suggest caution in removing fixed M. tuberculosis samples from biosafety level 3.
Schwebach
J R
JR
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. schwebac@aecom.yu.edu
Jacobs
W R
WR
Casadevall
A
A
D001386:Azides; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D004202:Disinfectants; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005976:Glutaral; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development; D011108:Polymers; D012449:Safety; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*
D001386:Azides; D004202:Disinfectants; D005404:Fixatives; D011108:Polymers; D005557:Formaldehyde; D005976:Glutaral; C003043:paraform