Abstract
BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the world. Specimens of blood, body fluids and excreta received in the department of pathology undoubtedly increased the risk of infection, especially in some hospitals that are short of professional protection capability. Here we provided a new simple way for the sputum cytology test during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsSputum samples from 30 patients with lung cancer were collected and divided into two groups, including the control group and the experimental group. Samples of the control group were processed in the biological safety cabinet, while the experimental group was put into the sealed specimen bag directly and pretreated with 75% medical alcohol. Then the cell morphology and tumor cell identification were analyzed by cell smears and liquid-based cell staining. The expression of cell antigens was determined by immunohistochemical staining.ResultOur result showed that both sputum samples in two groups exhibited complete cell structure and clear morphology according to the cell smear and liquid-based cell staining. In addition, the immunohistochemical result showed that cell antigens, including cytokeratin (CK), leukocyte common antigen (LCA), and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF1), were specifically expressed in the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus, respectively. The tumor cells were distributed diffusely, and cell antigens were located accurately after pretreatment with 75% medical alcohol and were consistent with that of the control group.ConclusionUsing 75% medical alcohol to pretreat sputum specimens has no obvious impact on cell morphology and antigens expression. Our study provided a new method for the sputum cytology test with no direct contact so as to protect medical staff against the virus during COVID-19 outbreak.
Highlights
MethodsSputum samples from 30 patients with lung cancer were collected and divided into two groups, including the control group and the experimental group
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the world
The number and morphology of cells fit the requirements of reading, suggesting that the quality of cell slides made from disinfected cells treated with 75% medical alcohol was similar to that of the control group
Summary
Sputum samples from 30 patients with lung cancer were collected and divided into two groups, including the control group and the experimental group. Samples of the control group were processed in the biological safety cabinet, while the experimental group was put into the sealed specimen bag directly and pretreated with 75% medical alcohol. The cell morphology and tumor cell identification were analyzed by cell smears and liquid-based cell staining. The expression of cell antigens was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The experimental materials are the sealed specimen bag, rubber band, and 75% medical alcohol. Samples of the experimental group were directly put into a sealed specimen bag and treated with 75% medical alcohol, were processed to the step the same as the control group
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