NAME: Bacteroides spp.
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: B. fragilis, B. ureolyticus, B. capillosus, B. bivius, B. disiens, B. vulgatus, B. thetaiotaomicron, B. ovatus, B. distasonis, B. splanchnicus, B. forsythus, B. tectum, B. intermedius (now Prevotella intermedia), B. asaccharolyticus, B. melaninogenicus (now Prevotella gingivalis)
CHARACTERISTICS: Gram negative bacilli, anaerobic, non-spore forming, nonmotile or motile with peritrichous flagella, brown pigmented colonies on blood agar
PATHOGENICITY: Normal inhabitants of oral, respiratory, intestinal and urogenital cavities (predominant bacteria of colon); can cause severe infection in proximity to mucosal surfaces where they exist normally; bacteremia, abscesses and lesions in all regions of body (lung, abdomen, brain), peridontitis, endocarditis, wound infections; many infections are prolonged and sometimes fatal
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; responsible for 10% of gram-negative bacteremias in North America
HOST RANGE: Humans, other mammals
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Part of normal flora that invade tissues after surgical or accidental trauma, edema, anoxia and tissue destruction (from infection with other organisms or malignancies) other predisposing factors include antibiotic treatment (eliminate aerobes and foster invasiveness of more resistant bacteroides) or immunosuppressive treatment
INCUBATION PERIOD: Unknown
COMMUNICABILITY: Not transmitted from person to person
RESERVOIR: Gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals
ZOONOSIS: Yes - wound infection by bite of infected animals or contact with feces
VECTORS: None
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to metronidazole
DRUG RESISTANCE : Frequently resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, clindamycin, colistin, kanamycin and other aminoglycosides
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, 2% glutaraldehyde, iodines, phenolics, formaldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to moist heat (121°C for at least 15 min) and dry heat (160-170°C for at least 1 hour)
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Bacteroides survive for only 24 - 72 hours exposed to air
SURVEILLANCE: Presence of foul-smelling discharge or gas in tissue suggests infection by bacteroides
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Surgical drainage, alone or together with antibacterial therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None
PROPHYLAXIS: Preventive treatment with vancomycin
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Feces, wound exudates, necrotic tissues, respiratory tissues
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation; direct contact of mucous membranes (or wounds, cuts on skin)
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Well designed laboratory with good microbiological practices; this level of containment does not allow for any additional risk that may present for those persons with pre-existing disease, compromised immunity, or who are pregnant
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when direct contact with infectious materials is unavoidable
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are labelled appropriately
Date prepared: November 1999
Prepared by: Office of Laboratory Security, PHAC
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Material Safety Data Sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright ©
Health Canada, 2001