Bulk staining of smears: no demonstrated risk of bacilli transfer from a positive to a negative smear [Short Communication]

Authors: Affolabi, D.¹; Odoun, M.²; Sanoussi, C.N.²; Tanimomo-Kledjo, B.²; Saïzonou, D.²; Soumaïla, K.²; Kestens, L.³; Anagonou, S.Y.²; Portaels, F.⁴

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 12, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 683-685(3)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

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Abstract:

Despite a theoretical risk of transfer of bacilli from a positive to a negative smear, bulk staining is routinely performed in many laboratories. To assess this risk in our laboratory, two smears were made from each sputum specimen and stained with auramine: one smear was stained on a rack and the second using the bulk method. Smears were read blind using a fluorescence microscope. A total of 811 sputum specimens were analysed. No acid-fast bacilli transfer was observed even when staining solution jars had not been renewed for 3 days. Bulk staining is rapid and cheap, and could be used in laboratories with a high workload in low-resource settings.

Keywords: auramine; acid-fast bacilli; bulk staining

Document Type: Short communication

Affiliations: 1: Laboratoire de Référence des Mycobactéries, Cotonou, Bénin; Mycobacteriology Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium 2: Laboratoire de Référence des Mycobactéries, Cotonou, Bénin 3: Immunology Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium 4: Mycobacteriology Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium