SOLID TISSUE-CULTURE FOR CYTOGENETIC ANALYSIS - A COLLABORATIVE SURVEY FOR THE ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL CYTOGENETICISTS

Aims-To survey the diagnostic service provided by UK laboratories for the culture of solid tissue samples (excluding tumours) and in particu lar to examine the variation in culture success rates and the problems of maternal cell overgrowth. Methods-Twenty seven laboratories took p art in a collaborative survey during 1992. Each laboratory submitted d ata on up to a maximum of 60 consecutive specimens (n = 1361) over a s ix month period. Results-Skin specimens, the largest category received (n = 520), were the most problematic (51% success rare). Culture succ ess rates were significantly lower (43%) when skin specimens (n = 140) were transported dry to the laboratory. Success rates for skin specim ens also varied, depending on the origin of the specimen, from 18% for intra-uterine deaths (IUD) (n = 94) to 85% for neonatal deaths (n = 3 3) and 83% for live patients (n = 54). Culture of selected extra-fetal tissues from IUD, stillbirths and following elective termination of p regnancy (TOP) gave comparable success rates to those achieved for ski n samples from neonatal deaths and live births, Skewed sex ratios, fem ale > male, were identified for products of conception (POC) (n = 298) and placental biopsy specimens (n = 97). Conclusions-By appropriate s election, transport and processing of tissues, and ire particular by a voiding relying solely on skin samples from IUD, stillbirths and TOP, all increase in culture success rates for solid tissue samples submitt ed for cytogenetic analysis could be achieved. The high risk of matern al cell contamination from POC and placental biopsy specimens was also identified in this survey.