THE VIABILITY OF MYCOBACTERIUM-TUBERCULOSIS IN FORMALIN-FIXED PULMONARY AUTOPSY TISSUE - REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND BRIEF REPORT

Formalin is commonly thought to decrease the risk of Mycobacterium tub erculosis infection. However, the true disinfection efficacy of formal in for tissue infected with M tuberculosis is unclear. We reviewed all pertinent literature from 1900 until the present regarding the disinf ection efficacy of formalin for tissue infected with M tuberculosis. W e also retrospectively cultured five cases of M tuberculosis from form alin-fixed archival pulmonary tissue. All cultures from our archived t issue were negative. The literature review revealed limited and contra dictory information concerning the viability of M tuberculosis in form alin-fixed human tissue. There are no studies which specifically addre ss the viability of M tuberculosis in tissue exclusively fixed in 10% buffered formalin. The disinfection efficacy of formalin for tuberculo sis infected tissue remains unclear. Larger, prospective studies using current methodologies are needed to establish guidelines to ensure th e safety for those handling infected, fixed tissue. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company