Open AccessFalse-Positive Culture Results from Patient Tissue Specimens Due to Contamination of RPMI Medium with Cryptococcus albidus
Author(s) -
Lisa G Winston,
Marguerite Roemer,
Carol D. Goodman,
Barbara Haller
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.02447-06
Subject(s) - contamination , microbiology and biotechnology , cryptococcus , biology , ecology
Cryptococcus albidus , a rare opportunist, was isolated from biopsy specimens from three patients over 4 days. An investigation showed that the specimens had been contaminated by placement in RPMI medium. The importance of rapid communication between the microbiology laboratory, the infectious diseases/infection control division, and other involved parties in the event of unusual occurrences is highlighted.