Actinomyces spp. - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

 

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Actinomyces spp.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: A. israelii, A. naeslundii, A. meyeri, A. propionicus was Arachnia propionica now called (Propionibacterium propionicum), A. odontolyticus

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram positive rods that grow as filaments, branching rods and diphtheroid rods; non-spore-forming; contains well developed pili; microaerophilic to anaerobic; contains sulfur granules

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Opportunistic pathogen. Chronic bacterial disease localized in jaw, thorax, or abdomen. Characterized by persistent swelling, suppuration and formation of abscesses or granulomas; major types are cervicofacial, thoracic and abdominal; hematogenous spread to other organs, although rare, is possible. May also be involved in pelvic inflammatory disease associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices. A. naeslundii is believed to be involved in dental caries and periodontal disease

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; normal inhabitant of the mouth and found in saliva, on the tongue, gingival crevices; disease results after trauma or immune suppression; infrequent disease, sporadic, 15-35 years of age; 2 to 1 male/female ratio

HOST RANGE: Humans, and other Actinomyces species in cattle, horses and other animals

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Person-to-person by contact of mouth, aerosols, fomites

INCUBATION PERIOD: Irregular, may be days or months after precipitating trauma of oral tissues

COMMUNICABILITY: Unknown

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans; the organisms grow as saprophytes in normal oral cavity

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to penicillin, cephalosporin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, carbenicillin

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants: 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to heat

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survived on glass surface for 49 days and in tap water for up to 3 days

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms and demonstration of organism in tissue or pus

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Surgical drainage of abscesses, antibiotic therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None available

PROPHYLAXIS: None available

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: One case was reported that was due to the inhalation of infectious aerosols

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Saliva, tissue, pus

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, inhalation of infectious aerosols

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment facilities for all activities involving the bacteria or any infectious fluid or tissue

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious material is unavoidable

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration

STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled

SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

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