A prospective, multicenter study of laboratory cross-contamination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures

Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 Nov;8(11):1260-3. doi: 10.3201/eid0811.020298.

Abstract

A prospective study of false-positive cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that resulted from laboratory cross-contamination was conducted at three laboratories in California. Laboratory cross-contamination accounted for 2% of the positive cultures. Cross-contamination should be a concern when an isolate matches the genotype of another sample processed during the same period.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Typing Techniques / standards
  • DNA Fingerprinting
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Diagnostic Errors* / prevention & control
  • Equipment Contamination* / prevention & control
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Humans
  • Laboratories / standards*
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / classification
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / growth & development
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Specimen Handling
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis / microbiology*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial