title: Aspergillus DNA contamination in blood collection tubes.
abstract: Fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic methods are at risk for contamination. Sample collection containers were investigated for fungal DNA contamination using real-time PCR assays. Up to 18% of blood collection tubes were contaminated with fungal DNA, probably Aspergillus fumigatus. Lower proportions of contamination in other vessels were observed.
authors.affiliation: Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester, The University of Manchester, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, United Kingdom. liz.harrison@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stalhberger
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugrue
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Wingard
authors.forename: Barbara D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Follett
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bowyer
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Denning
mesh_terms: D001230:Aspergillus / Q000235:genetics*; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal