title: Survival of tubercle bacilli in heat-fixed and stained sputum smears.
abstract: We used a slide culture technique to detect tubercle bacilli surviving in sputum smears (n=46) after conventional heat fixation and Ziehl-Neelsen staining. In all heat-fixed sputum smears, tubercle bacilli survived after time 0 (n=22), 24 h (n=7), 48 h (n=7), 72 h (n=4), and seven days (n=6). None of the stained sputum smears showed growth on slide cultures. Viable tubercle bacilli remaining in heat-fixed sputum smears for at least seven days may present an infection risk to laboratory staff. Thus, sputum smears should be stained immediately by the Ziehl-Neelsen method or stored in a safe container to avoid transmission of tuberculosis.
authors: Laboratório de Microbiologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, 87020-900, Brasil.
authors: C L
authors: CL
authors: Cardoso
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Giacomelli
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Helbel
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Sant'Ana
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: Martins
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Barreto
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents