Our histopath techs have expressed concern over how, in retrospect, they should have handled surgical specimens that were subsequently found to contain M. tuberculosis.   I don’t know if the specimens were placed directly into fixative at the time they were obtained, but I’ll find out. I’m going to assume that formalin would inactivate live bacteria.  The techs are asking about periodic IGRAs.

 

If the specimen were transported to the lab in some other medium or saline or just in an empty container, what is the risk of generating a biohazardous aerosol while the specimen was being prepared for embedding and eventually sliced on a microtome?  I assume that the specimens are not routinely macerated or ground up or centrifuged.   I am also going to find out if they have a protocol is for handling specimens in hoods.  Are there other questions that should be addressed.

 

Thanks for the time to respond. 

 

Ed

 

Edward I. Galaid, MD, MPH, FACOEM

ABIM, ABPM (OM)

Medical Director, Occupational Medicine

Roper Saint Francis Healthcare

Charleston, SC 29401

Chair, Public Safety Medicine Section, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Special Expert, NFPA Fire Service Occupational Safety & Health (FIX-AAA) Committee

843-402-5053

 

 



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