Capnocytophaga spp. - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

 

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Capnocytophaga spp.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: C. gingivalis, C. granulosa, C. haemolytica, C. sputigena, C. ochracea, Bacteroides ochraceus (C. canimorsus and C. cynodegmi colonize the oral cavities of dogs and cats, respectively)

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram negative rods, gliding motility, can grow aerobically or anaerobically, medium to long thin rods with tapered ends

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Normal flora of oral cavity; involved primarily in periodontal disease; can produce bacteremia, infections of respiratory tract, eye, bone, wounds, soft tissue infections and endocarditis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals; C. canimorsus and C. cynodegmi can cause localized wound infections and or systemic infections in people who have been bitten, licked or scratched by cats and dogs

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; serious infections in immunocompromised; less severe infections in immunocompetent also reported

HOST RANGE: Humans, other mammals

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Part of normal flora that invade tissue after trauma and in immunocompromised individuals (contamination with secretions from the oral cavity); nosocomial postoperative wound infection

INCUBATION PERIOD: Unknown

COMMUNICABILITY: Not transmitted from person to person

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Oral cavity

ZOONOSIS: Yes; transmission through bites, licks or scratches from cats and dogs

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to penicillins and cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, chloramphenicol, clindamycin and erythromycin

DRUG RESISTANCE: Resistant to aminoglycosides, trimethoprim, metronidazole and aztreonam; ß-lactamase production has been reported

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

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivated by moist heat (121°C for 15 min) and dry heat 160-170°C for at least 1 hour

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Does not survive under aerobic conditions - requires presence of carbon dioxide or anaerobic conditions

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms and confirm bacteriologically

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Surgical drainage, antibiotic therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: Antibiotic prophylaxis consisting of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for all immunocompromised patients who have been bitten by a dog or cat

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Sputum, throat specimens, blood, bronchial specimens, spinal fluid

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, direct contact of mucous membranes (or wounds, cuts on skin)

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Well designed laboratory with good microbiological practices; this level of containment does not allow for any additional risk presenting for those persons with compromised immunity

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when direct contact with infectious materials is unavoidable

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

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 appropriately labelled

SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Date prepared: January 2000

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