Effect of relative centrifugal force and centrifugation time on sedimentation of mycobacteria in clinical specimens

Optimum relative centrifugal force (RCF) and centrifugation time to concentrate mycobacteria in clinical specimens were determined by processing split samples of sputa and urines containing mycobacteria with combinations of different RCFs and centrifugation times. Although individual test results showed considerable variation in the recovery rates of mycobacteria in the sediment, the data indicated that higher recovery rates occurred as centrifugation speed and time were increased. With a 15- to 20-min centrifugation time, on the average, 67 to 71% of mycobacteria were recovered at an RCF of 2,074 X g, and 76 to 80% were recovered at 3,005 or 3,895 X g at maximum radius. The remainder of mycobacteria was mostly recovered from the supernatant, but culturing of supernatant was not profitable. Increasing RCF had a negligible effect on acid-fast bacillus smear sensitivity. The smear sensitivity for about 25,000 clinical specimens processed with an RCF of 3,800 X g for 20 min was 71% compared with 69% as determined for over 30,000 specimens processed in a similar manner but an RCF of 2,000 X g. An RCF of 3,000 X g applied for 15 min, or an RCF of about 2,000 to 2,500 X g applied for 20 min, is considered adequate to concentrate mycobacteria in clinical specimens.