Lactobacillus spp. - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

 

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Lactobacillus spp.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: L. acidophilus, L. bifidus, L.bulgaricus, L. casei, L. viridescens, L. helveitcus, L. plantarum

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-positive large rods, non-spore forming, anaerobic or microaerophilic, occur singly or in pairs

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Very rarely pathogenic; part of normal flora in man and animals (mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract); in the oral cavity, associated with dental caries but no known etiologic role; have been reported to cause endocarditis, neonatal meningitis and bacteremia

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide

HOST RANGE: Normal flora of humans and animals

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Not known

INCUBATION PERIOD: Not known

COMMUNICABILITY: Not transmitted from person-to-person

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Widespread in nature, humans and animals

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to antibiotics

DRUG RESISTANCE: vancomycin-resistant strains have been isolated

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite and 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, iodines

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

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Feces - 2 days; cheese - 105 years;

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: None

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Wash area in contact with warm water and soap (omit soap for mucous membrane exposure); drug therapy (penicillin and aminoglycosides)

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: None

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: No reported cases of laboratory infections with Lactobacillus spp.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Dairy products and other food, feces, specimens from the mouth, vaginal swabs

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Hazard of infection from this organism is low, however, it is prudent to avoid accidental inoculation and ingestion

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: No special design features beyond those suitable for a well designed and functional laboratory with good microbiology 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 contact with infected 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 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: March, 2001

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