Aerococcus spp. - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

 

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Aerococcus spp.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: A. viridans, A. urinae, A. christensenii

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram positive cocci, usually singly or in tetrads; microaerophilic

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Opportunistic pathogen; associated with bacteremia, endocarditis and urinary tract infections ; primary cause of fatal lobster disease called gaffkemia; causes greenish discolouration of pickled and cooked meats, such as ham products

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Occurs worldwide

HOST RANGE: Lobsters, humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Opportunistic pathogen causing infections as a result of trauma, or in immune compromised individuals

INCUBATION PERIOD: Unknown

COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly transmitted from person to person

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Widespread in nature; aquatic and marine environments; common airborne organism in hospitals; can also be found on human skin

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Penicillin, vancomycin, macrolides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol

DRUG RESISTANCE: A. viridans displays a low level of resistance to aminoglycosides; penicillin resistance has been reported in 1 case; A. urinae is resistant to sulfonamides

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite, iodines, 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, 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: Survives well in nature - soil, marine environments

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: None

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Wash exposed area with soap and warm water (omit soap if mucous membrane exposure); antibiotic therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: None

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: No reported cases of laboratory infection with Aerococcus spp.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Environmental sources - soil, water; blood, wound exudates, endometrium

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Hazard of infection is low, however, avoid accidental parenteral inoculation, ingestion, and inhalation of infectious droplets

SPECIAL HAZARDS: No special hazards

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Well designed laboratory with good microbiological techniques; this level of containment does not allow for any additional risk that may be present for 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

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 before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection

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