Trichomonas vaginalis - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

 

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Trichomonas vaginalis

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Trichomoniasis, vaginitis

CHARACTERISTICS: Flagellate protozoa with 3-5 anterior flagella and undulating membrane; pear-shaped, average size of 10 X 7 µm; actively motile; grows best at 35-37° C under anaerobic conditions with optimal pH of 5.5-6.0; exists only in the trophozoite stage; divide by longitudinal binary fission

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: A persistent disease of the genitourinary tract, characterized in women by vaginitis accompanied with a thin foamy yellowish discharge with foul odour; in severe cases, petechia, cervical erosions, or sometimes punctate hemorrhagic lesions are present; may cause obstetric complications; up to 50% are asymptomatic; males are usually asymptomatic with the organism persisting in the prostrate, urethra or seminal vesicles; may cause urethritis, prostatitis or reversible sterility; may facilitate HIV infection

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; primarily in adults; highest incidence among women 16-35 years; Susceptibility is general buy clinical disease is higher in women

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Experimental urogenital inoculation of 10,000 organisms has resulted in transmission

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By direct contact with vaginal and urethral discharges of infected persons during sexual intercourse; rarely direct contact with contaminated articles; congenital infection is possible although infrequent

INCUBATION PERIOD: Ranges from 5-28 days; usually 7 days

COMMUNICABILITY: From months to years for persistent infection

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to metronidazole, tinidazole, ornidazole, paromycin; resistance to metronidazole is on the rise

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to most disinfectants; 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to drying; rapid inactivation below pH < 4; heat> 40° C

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Trophozoite can survive for 1-2 hours on moist surfaces; viable for up to 24 hours in urine, semen; 30-40 min in water

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Demonstration of parasite by microscopic examination or culture of vaginal/prostate secretions or sedimented urine

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Initiate oral metronidazole treatment; sexual partners of infected individuals should be treated concurrently; Metronidazole is contraindicated during 1st trimester of pregnancy; should not be combined with alcohol; topical paromycin for resistant strains

IMMUNIZATION: None available

PROPHYLAXIS: Metronidazole orally has been shown to be effective

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Vaginal and urethral secretions; urine

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Parenteral inoculation; droplet exposure of mucous membrane; contact exposure of broken skin

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment facilities utilizing infectious body fluids and tissues

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin 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 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: 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