Use of a Disposable Water Filter for Prevention of False-Positive Results due to Nontuberculosis Mycobacteria in a Clinical Laboratory Performing Routine Acid-Fast Staining for Tuberculosis

摘要

A point-of-use 0.2-μm filter was evaluated for elimination of nontuberculosis mycobacteria in laboratory water to reduce false-positive acid-fast bacillus staining results. Use of the point-of-use filter can significantly reduce the false-positive rate to 1.2% compared to samples treated with tap water (10.7%) and deionized water (8.7%).