Antimicrobial activity of UMFix tissue fixative.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial effects of UMFix, an alcohol based tissue fixative, on various microorganisms. The UMFix solution was compared with 10% neutral buffered formalin.


METHODS
Standard methods to determine microorganism colony counts were performed after exposure of the microorganisms to UMFix and 10% neutral buffered formalin.


RESULTS
After a short exposure, UMFix rapidly killed vegetative bacteria, yeasts, moulds, and viruses. Bacterial spores were resistant to killing by UMFix. All organisms were killed by the 10% neutral buffered formalin preparation.


CONCLUSIONS
UMFix was microbicidal for vegetative bacteria, yeasts, and aspergillus species after a short exposure, although it was not active against spore forming bacillus species. The methanol content of the fixative was responsible for the killing effect of this fixative. No killing was seen when polyethylene glycol was used alone.
Cleary
T J
TJ
Department of Pathology, Holtz Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. tcleary@med.miami.edu
Morales
A R
AR
Nadji
M
M
Nassiri
M
M
Vincek
V
V
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005404:Fixatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde