General requirements for microbiological work

Risks both for the analyst as well as for the environment are associated with work on microorganisms which are inevitably pathogenic. In order to prevent infection, this work must only be carried out by experts with the appropriate special knowledge, observing the necessary precautions. In many countries precise legal regulations exist for work on pathogens. 

Work on germs which are not inevitably pathogenic also requires trained personnel as well as rooms and equipment which are suitably equipped for microbiological work. 

An important requirement for proper microbiological work is the avoidance of secondary infections both in the handling of the sample material prior to actual analysis and in the analysis itself. 

Where glass or metal equipment which can be used several times is employed instead of commercially available sterile disposable plastic equipment, then the former must be carefully cleaned and sterilized each time before it is used. 

All apparatus must be mechanically cleaned using cleaning agents, brushes, etc. They should be rinsed first with clean tap water, to which under certain circumstances 1 % hydrochloric acid has been added, and then with distilled or demineralized water. In order to prevent infection in the course of the rinsing process, vessels and equipment containing germs should be autoclaved at approx. 120 C for 30 minutes before the cleaning process. 

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