Division 5.4.5 F1

Interpretation of the IF reading:

1. (i)

   If bright fluorescing cells with characteristic morphology are found, estimate the average number of typical cells per microscope field and calculate the number of typical cells per ml of resuspended pellet (Appendix 5).

   The IF reading is positive for samples with at least 5 × 10 ³ typical cells per ml of resuspended pellet. The sample is considered potentially contaminated and further testing is required.

2. (ii)

   The IF reading is negative for samples with less than 5 × 10 ³ cells per ml of resuspended pellet and the sample is considered negative. Further testing is not required.