Table 1.
Reagents and conditions used for sample decontamination.
| Treatment | Sample: Decontaminant Ratio | Treatment Duration | Reference for Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.85% Saline (control) | 1:1 | 15 min | - |
| 4% NaOH (modified Petroff method) | 1:1 | 25 min | [10] |
| 0.5 N H2SO4 | 1:1 | 60 min | [5] * |
| NALC + NaOH (2%) | 1:1 | 15 min | [5] |
| 5% Oxalic acid | 1:1 | 15 min | [11] |
| 1% Chlorhexidine (CHX) | 1:3 | 15 min | [12] |
| Dual treatment with NALC-NaOH (2%) + 5% Oxalic acid | 1:1 & 1:1 | 15 min & 15 min | [11] |
* For treatment with 0.5 N sulfuric acid, the guideline states that the duration of decontamination should be reviewed in light of individual laboratory contamination rates for different specimen types. Internal validation studies led us to select a duration of 1 h.