title: Pseudo-outbreak of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis associated with presumed laboratory processing contamination.
abstract: An investigation prompted by six positive cultures for multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis during a 7-week period found that an unusual resistance pattern, temporal proximity of laboratory processing, and identical DNA fingerprints supported the theory of cross-contamination. Laboratory processing procedures included specimen batching and multi-use vials of buffer solution. Processing procedures were changed and no additional cases of suspected cross-contamination have been observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bearman
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaamonde
authors.forename: Davise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Larone
authors.forename: Lewis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drusin
authors.forename: Gianna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zuccotti
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology