Methodical guidelines.

1. Structure and the equipment of microbiological laboratory

Structure of any microbiological laboratory includes:

• Laboratory rooms and laminar flow cabinets designed for specific activities in aseptic conditions.

• Room for preparation of nutrient media.

• Specially equipped room for sterilization of nutrient media, laboratory glassware, disinfection of infectious material.

• Vivarium for laboratory animals.

Walls of rooms within laboratory should be covered with oil paint or glazed tiles and floor — with linoleum.

Microbiological laboratory usually has the following equipment:

• Biological immersion microscope with additional devices and kits of necessary dies.

• Instrument tools: bacteriological loops, spatulas, forceps, burners, etc.

• Laboratory ware; tubes, Petri dishes, flasks, pipettes, etc.

• Devices for sterilization of ware, nutrient media, reagents, pH meters, distillers, centrifuges, technical and analytical balances, filtering equipment, etc.

• Other fire and chemical safety equipment (fire extinguishers, disinfecting devices, etc. )

Equipment of students’ working area:

• Microscope.

• Immersion oil.

• Bacteriological loops.

• Burner.

• Staining kits.

• Tray and water for washing smears.

• Slides and tissue for slides cleaning

• Stand for tubes.

• Forceps for collecting slides.

• Filter paper for drying smears.

• Flask for used slides.

From student’ personal belongings, it is allowed only to have workbook on the working area, where students should make drawings and notes.

2. Rules of work in the microbiological laboratory

Any activities within Department of Microbiology require strict following of the special rules. It is due to the fact that there is a work with potentially pathogenic microorganisms, potentially infectious clinical specimens and tissues of laboratory animals. It is compulsory to follow such rules not only for personal, but also for general safety.

• All students should wear laboratory coats and cap.

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• It is not prohibited to put personal belongings and bags on the laboratory tables (Only workbooks are allowed).

• No food, drink or smoking is allowed anywhere in the Department.

• Used reagents/material or laboratory pipettes should be placed in special containers with disinfectants (not on the desk! )

• In case of spill-out of potentially infectious materials onto the desk, floor or cloth, please, immediately notify your tutor and strictly follow his/her recommendations.

• Keep the surface of your desk clean at all the time.

• Please, handle with care all equipment (especially microscopes).

• Precisely and accurately follow the practicals.

Upon the completion of practical session.

• Wipe out anything spilled on the surface of the desk after the practical session is completed.

• All used slides should be placed into the flasks with sterilizing solution.

• All inoculated tubes and Petri dishes should be given to student on duty for placement into incubator.

• Clean up and prepare microscope for storage in specially designated compartment.

• Wash your hands with disinfected solution and soap after the completion of the practicals.

Methods of disinfection of contaminated materials and environmental objects

• Used slides, pipettes, glass spatulas and metal instruments immediately after work must be placed into glass flasks with

disinfected solution (1-2% chloramine solution, which are located

on the desk.

• Other laboratory ware (tubes, Petri dishes, flasks) must he placed into sterilizer metal box for disinfection by boiling or autoclaving.

• Working area upon completion of all activities should be sterilized with 5% chloramine or 5% carbolic acid solutions. Surface of desk should be disinfected by piece of cotton wad wetted in disinfected solution taken by forceps. If the tube with potentially infectious material is broken or fluid is spilled onto the cloth, disinfected solution immediately should be placed on the site of spillage. In addition, tutor also should be notified.

Methods of disinfection of hands of laboratory personnel contaminated by potentially infectious materials

• Upon completion of work, hands should be cleaned with disinfected solution. Cotton or gauze wads wetted in 70% ethyl alcohol (or 1% chloramine or 3% lysol solutions). It is important to start with the most

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