HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE

PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Haemophilus influenzae (type b)

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Hib, meningitis, Haemophilus meningitis , childhood pneumonia, bacteremia, epiglottitis, septic arthritis, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, pericarditis, bacterial meningitis, Pfeiffer's bacillus^(1,2,3,4).

CHARACTERISTICS: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is a gram negative coccobaccilus⁽⁵⁾. This respiratory tract membrane obligate parasite requires hemin (X-factor) and NAD (V- factor) for in vitro growth. Hib is non motile and non acid-fast. Hib is aerobic⁽⁶⁾, but also able to grow in facultative anaerobic conditions⁽⁵⁾. H.influenzea are classified into six antigenically distinct serotypes (a to f) based on capsular polysaccharide antigen. One such antigen is polyribosyl-ribitol phosphate (PRP) and this antigen characterizes serotype b⁽³⁾. Three biochemical tests (indole, urease, and ornithine decarboxylase) subdivide H.influenzea into 8 biotypes⁽⁵⁾. Although most Hib strains belong to biotype I and II, standard Hib strains, which belong to biotype VI, also exist.

SECTION II – HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: Infection with Haemophilus influenzae (type b) can cause meningitis (50% of all cases – adults and children), epiglottitis (17%), pneumonia (15%), septic arthritis (8%), cellulitis (6%), osteomyelitis (2%), or generalized bacteremia (2%)⁽⁶⁾. A small proportion of children (0.5-3%) children will have asymptomatic infections.

Meningitis may begin as minor upper respiratory infection⁽³⁾. Symptoms include behavioural or mental status change, fever, vomiting, headaches, and signs of meningeal irritation such as bulging fontanelle in infants, or stiff neck in older children or adults. In adults, complete recovery is common with treatment⁽⁷⁾, but for children there is a 2-5% mortality rate, even with treatment. Sequelae such as hearing loss, mental retardation, seizures, vision loss, and motor and speech delay may develop in 15-30% of cases⁽³⁾.

Epiglotitis is an acute infection of the upper airway that causes oedema and inflammation of the epiglottis and adjacent tissues and may lead to complete airway obstruction in hours⁽³⁾. Symptoms include severe sore throat and fever. Speaking, swallowing or breathing may be impaired and respiration may be noisy. To assist with breathing, patients may adopt a tripod or sniffing posture. Airways obstruction results in a 5-10% mortality rate.

Cellulitis often affects the face, head or neck⁽³⁾. Cellulitis causes localized tissue inflammation and may lead to proptosis, loss of visual acuity, limitation of extraoccular movement and death. 12-25% of affected children may have concomitant meningitis.

Other illnesses associated with infection include pneumonia (pulmonary infection with purulent excretion), osteomyelitis (bone infection), septic arthritis (joint infection) and pericaditis (infection of the pericardial membrane surrounding the heart)⁽³⁾.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: In the prevaccine era, 1 in 200 children under 5 years developed Hib related illnesses, especially between 6 and 12 months⁽³⁾. Following vaccine introduction in 1986⁽⁸⁾, the incidence declined by 97%⁽³⁾. Currently, Hib is more prevalent in developing countries, and aboriginal peoples are more at risk⁽²⁾. Adult cases are rare and sickness is usually concomitant with another immunosuppressive state⁽⁹⁾. A bimodal seasonal pattern of infection, peaking in September/December and March/May has been observed for meningitis⁽¹⁰⁾.

HOST RANGE: Hib is a human obligate parasite⁽⁵⁾.

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Respiratory droplet transmission as well as via contact with discharge from nose and throat during infectious periods. The portal of entry is most commonly the nasopharynx⁽¹¹⁾.

INCUBATION PERIOD: 2 - 4 days⁽¹²⁾

COMMUNICABILITY: Hib is not highly contagious⁽⁶⁾. Secondary infection may occur in the case of particularly close contact with patients. Not communicable 48 h after initiation of efficient antibiotic treatment⁽¹³⁾.

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans are the only known reservoir⁽³⁾.

ZOONOSIS: None⁽²⁾

VECTORS: None⁽²⁾

SECTION IV – STABILITY AND VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Hib is susceptible to chloramphenicol and third generation cephalosporins (e.g. cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime)⁽³⁾.

DRUG RESISTANCE: Resistance has been shown for ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, clarithromycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and rifampicin⁽¹⁴⁾.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Phenolic disinfectants, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, iodophore and peracedic acid are effective against Hib⁽¹⁵⁾.

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Hib is inactivated by UV⁽¹⁶⁾, microwave⁽¹⁷⁾, and gamma⁽¹⁸⁾ radiation, moist heat (121°C for at least 20 min⁽¹⁹⁾), and dry heat (165-170°C for 2 h).

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Hib does not survive long term in the environment⁽⁶⁾, but can survive more than 18 hrs in mucous and 12 hrs on plastic ⁽²⁰⁾.

SECTION V – FIRST AID / MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms. Diagnosis is most often confirmed by bacterial culture⁽³⁾. Newer techniques include detection of the PRP polysaccharide by latex agglutination or countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis and PCR.

Note: All diagnostic methods are not necessarily available in all countries.

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: The primary treatment for Hib is appropriate antibiotics⁽³⁾. Intravenous antibiotics are often required but depending on illness, oral administration may follow for 7-10 days. If airways are blocked, more invasive procedures may be indicated.

IMMUNIZATION: Currently, vaccination targets the PRP antigen and is effective for Hib but not other Haemophilus influenzae serotpyes⁽²¹⁾. Vaccine is usually given between 2 months and five years of age.

PROPHYLAXIS: Rifampin prophylaxis is indicated for direct contacts, as directed by a doctor⁽³⁾. Pregnant women should not receive prophylactic treatment.

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: There are 5 cases of laboratory acquired infections⁽²²⁾.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Bacteria may be in the cerebrospinal fluid, serum, urine⁽³⁾, blood, pleural fluid, joint fluid and middle ear aspirates⁽⁶⁾.

PRIMARY HAZARDS: LAIs are caused by inhalation⁽²²⁾, autoinoculation⁽²³⁾ or ingestion.

SPECIAL HAZARDS: none

SECTION VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk Group 2⁽²⁴⁾

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, and cultures.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Lab coat. Gloves when direct skin contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable. Eye protection must be used where there is a known or potential risk of exposure to splashes⁽²⁵⁾.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols, or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). The use of needles, syringes, or other sharp objects should be strictly limited⁽²⁵⁾. Additional precautions should be considered with work involving animals or large scale activities⁽²⁵⁾.

SECTION VIII - HANDLING AND STORAGE

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle and, wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and apply suitable disinfectant, starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre. Allow sufficient contact time before clean up (30 min)⁽²⁵⁾.

DISPOSAL: All material should be decontaminated before disposal with steam sterilization, incineration or chemical disinfection⁽²⁵⁾.

STORAGE: Samples and biological material should be store in appropriately labelled sealed containers⁽²⁵⁾.

SECTION IX – REGULATORY AND OTHER INFORMATION

REGULATORY INFORMATION: The import, transport, and use of pathogens in Canada is regulated under many regulatory bodies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and Transport Canada. Users are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with all relevant acts, regulations, guidelines, and standards.

UPDATED: July 2010

PREPARED BY: Pathogen Regulation Directorate, Public Health Agency of Canada.

Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Pathogen 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 ©
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010
Canada

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