Contaminant acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on tissue section slides can
usually be identified as such, because they're outside of the plane of
the tissue section.
The organism is a nearly non-pathogenic AFB called Mycobacterium
gordoneae or Mycobacterium aquae.
The problem affects both fluorescent and
Do you use DI water in your flotation baths ?
If your DI system is not already so equipped, install a 0.5 micron filter where
you withdraw the water and be sure to change this filter monthly.
I'm willing to bet the bugs are on the slides before the stain is performed
Vinnie Della Speranza
