title: Method for inactivating and fixing unstained smear preparations of mycobacterium tuberculosis for improved laboratory safety.
abstract: The inactivation of smears that contain Mycobacterium tuberculosis for microscopy before removal of the material from a biosafety cabinet is an important safety factor in preventing the potential transmission of tuberculosis to laboratory workers. The fixing and inactivating properties of heat flaming, 70% ethanol, and 1, 3, and 5% phenol in ethanol for smears containing M. tuberculosis were investigated. Heat flaming failed to inactivate the smear material, whereas 5% phenol in ethanol successfully fixed and inactivated all smears containing M. tuberculosis both from concentrated sputum samples and from culture material.
authors.affiliation: Laboratories Branch, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. pam.chedore@moh.gov.on.ca
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chedore
authors.forename: Cecelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Th'ng
authors.forename: Dennis H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Churchwell
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Sieffert
authors.forename: Yvonne M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jamieson
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005404:Fixatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019800:Phenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D012449:Safety; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D016707:Tissue Fixation; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D019800:Phenol; D000431:Ethanol