Sterilization of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Erdman Samples by Antimicrobial Fixation in a Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory

Abstract

Incomplete sterilization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Erdman cultures followed 1 h of incubation in low concentrations of glutaraldehyde (0.5 and 1.0%) or azide. In contrast, 2.5% glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde (2 or 4%), Vesphine IIse or 5% formalin sterilized these samples after 1 h. These results suggest caution in removing fixed M. tuberculosis samples from biosafety level 3.