The effect of ethanol fixation on PCR detection and viability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human sputum sediments was evaluated. M. tuberculosis seeded into sputum sediments was efficiently killed when treated for 1 h with 50, 70, or 95% ethanol. PCR amplification of a 123-bp fragment of the M. tuberculosis-specific IS6110 was not affected in ethanol-treated samples even when fixation was extended to 24 h. Ethanol fixation of sputum sediments did not affect the PCR detection of M. tuberculosis in clinical samples. PCR results from ethanol-treated clinical samples containing M. tuberculosis (smear positive and smear negative) or other respiratory pathogens correlated directly with the results by conventional detection methods for M. tuberculosis. Our results show that ethanol fixation of human sputum sediments containing M. tuberculosis significantly reduces the potential exposure of workers to viable M. tuberculosis without affecting DNA analysis by PCR. Also, ethanol fixation of sputum sediments provides a simple and inexpensive way to store and transport clinical specimens identified for DNA-based diagnostics without refrigeration.
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