[Histonet] How to eliminate AFB contamination on slides?

[Gayle Callis]

Saprophytic acid fast organisms can grow in distilled water storage 
carboys, found in tubings on faucets and shower drains!  Clean your 
distilled water containers frequently, use bleach, detergent and rinse well 
if you use carboys (polyethylene type).   Set up a regular cleaning 
schedule  to prevent contamination.

Replace old tubings, etc on carboys, faucets regularly also.

The organisms are not in your stain, more likely you get them when you pick 
up the section from water bath filled with contaminated water.  Do you use 
tap water or distilled water in waterbath?  If tap water, the tap may be 
the source.

This is a known problem, there are publications about it.

At 11:34 AM 4/6/2005, you wrote:
>We are having problems with the AFB stain. Almost everything we do AFB
>stains on has extracellular "AFB positive organisms" without an associated
>tissue response. Do we need to change our stain or use better grade water?
>Anybody who has any ideas or suggestions or has had this problem in the
>past, let me know what you did to correct the problem. Thank you to all in
>advance.
>
>
>
>Heather A. Harper
>
>Supervisor of Histology/Morgue
>
>Naval Hospital of Pensacola, FL
>
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Gayle Callis
MT,HT,HTL(ASCP)
Research Histopathology Supervisor
Veterinary Molecular Biology
Montana State University - Bozeman
PO Box 173610
Bozeman MT 59717-3610
406 994-6367 (lab with voice mail)
406 994-4303 (FAX)