Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Branhamella catarrhalis
PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Branhamella catarrhalis
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Neisseria catarrhalis, Moraxella catarrhalis
CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-negative diplococci, aerobic, oxidase +, clinically significant strains usually produce B-lactamase
SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: Normal inhabitant of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, occasionally causing bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media and sinusitis; has also been known to cause life-threatening, systemic diseases including endocarditis and meningitis
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; distinct seasonal pattern (November to May) associated with B. catarrhalis recovery
HOST RANGE: Humans
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By direct contact with droplets and discharges from nose and throat of infected persons; not commonly transmitted as organism is of low virulence; nosocomial transmission is being increasingly documented
INCUBATION PERIOD: Not known
COMMUNICABILITY: Low communicability
SECTION III - DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Humans
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
SECTION IV - VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Majority of strains are susceptible to cephamycins, cephalosporins, amoxicillin-clavulanate, tetracyclines and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
DRUG RESISTANCE : An estimated 90% of strains now produce B-lactamase
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, iodines, phenolics
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: Limited
SECTION V - MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by isolation of organism in respiratory specimens
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Antibiotic therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None
PROPHYLAXIS: None
SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Low risk of infection
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Nasopharyngeal specimens, blood, cerebrospinal fluid
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Parenteral inoculation; droplet exposure of mucous membranes
SPECIAL HAZARDS: No special hazards
SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities are recommended for all activities utilizing known or potentially infectious specimens and cultures of Neisseria spp.
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; wear protective clothing; gently cover spill with paper towels 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 labelled appropriately
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
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