Re: Aeresolization of Biohazardous Material

Gerhard Nebe-von-Caron (Gerhard.Nebe-von-Caron@unilever.com)
14 Feb 1997 14:25:02 Z

I remember a note in the back of my mind that somebody used
"in flow fixation" by adding a fixative in the sheath.

I have now sorted bacteria for some years using an Coulter
Elite and an Autoclone and unless the sorter blocks or you
do not hit the groove of the waist connector, the bacteria
always grow on the expected plate position. I never start
sorting bugs prior to proper system adjustment anyhow and
since I use a 50u in line sample filter I haven't had a
clogging any more.

Otherwise see the two articles below

Gerhard Nebe-v.Caron
Unilever Research, Colworth,
Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire
GB - MK44 1LQ
Tel: +44(0)1234-222066
FAX: +44(0)1234-222344
gerhard.nebe-von-caron@unilever.com

Title: Cell sorting of biohazardous specimens for assay of immune function.
Author: Giorgi-J-V.
Source: Methods-Cell-Biol 1994, VOL: 42 Pt B, P: 359-69, ISSN: 0091-679X.
1994.--- 144 ---
Year: 1994.--- 144 ---

Company: Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
School of Medicine 90024.

Title: Assessment of aerosol containment on the ELITE flow cytometer.
Author: Ferbas J; Chadwick K R; Logar A; Patterson A E; Gilpin R W; Margolick J
B
Source: Cytometry 1995 Mar 15, VOL: 22 (1), P: 45-7,
Company: Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate
School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Biohazardous aerosols generated during cell sorting have been of increased
concern recently because of interest in sorting specimens containing human
immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV 1). Current flow cytometers have features
designed to contain such aerosols within the sorting chamber, but the efficacy
of these features has not been established. Therefore, we tested aerosol
containment by two ELITE flow cytometers (Coulter Cytometry, Inc., Hialeah, FL)
during sorting of specimens containing high titers of bacteriophage. Agar plates
confluent with susceptible Escherichia coli were used to detect infectious units
released from the sorting chamber. Under recommended operating conditions very
few infectious units were released from the sorting chambers. Release increased
when the center stream was not optimally collected in a vacuum exhausted tube or
the chamber door was not completely closed. Failure of the negative pressure and
high efficiency particle air (HEPA) filtration features had less of an effect.
The data indicate that these standard safety features provide a rational
expectation of safety for the flow cytometry operator. Author.

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Aeresolization of Biohazardous Material
Author: radcliga@Moffitt.usf.edu at INTERNET
Date: 14/02/97 01:23

Dear Flow Communinity:

How are people (especially the sorter folks) addressing the issue
of acquiring/sorting biohazardous material which has the potential
for aeresolizing. Are these facilities restricted or confined
strictly within a P-3 facility. I am concerned that general
percautionary measures are not sufficient to address this issue.

Please respond. Thank you in advance!

Gilbert
Gilbert Radcliff
Basic Science Research Coordinator
Core Facility for Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at the
University of South Florida
12902 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612 USA


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