Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Edwardsiella tarda

PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Edwardsiella tarda

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Bacterium 1483–59, Bartholomew group, Asakusa group ^{Footnote 1}, Edwardsiella anguillimortifera.

CHARACTERISTICS: Edwardsiella tarda the family Enterobacteriaceae ^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}. They are Gram-negative, motile, facultatively anaerobic rods that have peritrichous flagella and measure 1 µm in diameter and 2–3 µm in length ^{Footnote 2-Footnote 4}. E. tarda is lactose negative, H2S-positive, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, and has a positive indole reaction ^{Footnote 1-Footnote 3}. It produces hemolysin ^{Footnote 5}.

SECTION II - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: E. tarda is an opportunistic pathogen in humans. It causes both intestinal and extra-intestinal infections, mainly in individuals with impaired immune systems ^{Footnote 2Footnote 3Footnote 6}. Gastroenteritis is the most common disease associated with E. tarda, with symptoms ranging from mild secretory enteritis to chronic enterocolitis ^{Footnote 3}. Acute gastroenteritis is characterized by five to six loose stools a day, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever ^{Footnote 3}. Enterocolitis or bacillary dysentery is a more severe manifestation characterized by loose bloody stools, colonic ulcerations, pseudomembranes, and nodularity of the terminal ileum ^{Footnote 3}. Extra-gastrointestinal manifestations associated with E. tarda infection are rare and include endocarditis, empyema, hepatobiliary infection, peritonitis, intra-abdominal abscess, osteomyelitis, wound infection, septicemia, bacteremia, urosepsis, and meningitis ^{Footnote 1Footnote 3Footnote 7Footnote 8}.

Although these infections are rare, they can be severe and fatal ^{Footnote 1}. Mortality rate of 40-50% has been reported in patients with bacteremia due to E. tarda infections ^{Footnote 1Footnote 7}.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Gastroenteritis due to E. tarda occurs worldwide, although it is more common in tropical and subtropical areas, where raw fish is consumed ^{Footnote 3}. Hepatobiliary diseases, malignancies/cancer and diabetes mellitus are the main risk factors for acquiring extraintestinal E. tarda infections ^{Footnote 1}. Gastroenteritis is more common in children and extraintestinal infections are more common in adults ^{Footnote 9}.

HOST RANGE:Humans, fresh and saltwater animals such as reptiles (snakes and turtles), amphibians, fish, mammals, and aquatic mammals ^{Footnote 2Footnote 8-Footnote 10}.

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Exposure to aquatic environments and animals or exotic animals such as reptiles; ingestion of contaminated fish ^{Footnote 1Footnote 3}.

INCUBATION PERIOD: Unknown.

COMMUNICABILITY: No reports of human-to-human transmission ^{Footnote 3}.

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Aquatic environments and animals living in such environments (e,g., fish; reptiles) ^{Footnote 1Footnote 9}.

ZOONOSIS: Yes, through contact with infected aquatic animals ^{Footnote 2}.

VECTORS: None.

SECTION IV - STABILITY AND VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY/RESISTANCE: A strain isolated from a pediatric renal transplant recipient with Edwardsiella tarda gastroenteritis was found to be susceptible to ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, piperacillin, and ticarcilla- clavulanate in vitro ^{Footnote 3}. E. tarda is also susceptible to tetracyclines, quinolones, antifolates, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, cephalexin, and gentamycin in vitro ^{Footnote 8Footnote 11}.

DRUG RESISTANCE: Most strains are resistant to colistin, polymixin B, oxacillin, rifampin, fusidic acid, and penicillin ^{Footnote 3Footnote 8Footnote 12}. Strains resistant to ampicillin, piperacillin, gentamicin, and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole have also been isolated ^{Footnote 1}.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: E. tarda is susceptible to 1600 ppm hydrogen peroxide, 11.5% sodium hypochlorite, 800 ppm povidon iodine, 3200 ppm formalin solution, glutaraldehyde, 3200 ppm copper sulfate, quaternary ammonium compounds, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), and ortho-dichlorobenzen ^{Footnote 13}.

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Information specific to Edwardsiella tarda is not available, but most vegetative bacteria are susceptible to moist heat (121°C for at least 15 min) and dry heat (160-170°C for at least 1 hour) ^{Footnote 14}. Hemolysin produced by E. tarda is heat labile, and sensitive to proteases ^{Footnote 5}. Hemolysin produced by E. tarda can be destroyed by formalin ^{Footnote 5}.

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: It can survive in fresh or marine water ^{Footnote 8Footnote 9}.

SECTION V – FIRST AID / MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms. Diagnosis can be made by isolation and culture of the bacteria from clinical specimens on eosin methylene blur agar (EMB agar), followed by biochemical tests ^{Footnote 1-Footnote 3}.

Note: All diagnostic methods are not necessarily available in all countries.

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Gastroenteritis caused by E. tarda resolves spontaneously without any antibiotic therapy ^{Footnote 3}. Aggressive cases can, however, be treated with amoxicillin (e.g. 80 mg/kg twice daily for 3 days), cotrimoxazole, and cephalosporins ^{Footnote 3}. Extraintestinal infections due to E. tarda are treated with antibiotics or surgical intervention (debridement and drainage) ^{Footnote 1}.

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: None

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported.

SOURCE/SPECIMENS: Clinical specimens such as stool; urine; cerebrospinal fluid; intrauterine contents; pus; bile; peritoneal fluid; liver, tubo-ovarian, and intra-abdominal abscess; and blood ^{Footnote 1Footnote 3Footnote 7}.

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion, accidental parenteral inoculation, direct contact of wounds with the pathogen ^{Footnote 1}.

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk Group 2 ^{Footnote 15}.

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Lab coat. Gloves when direct skin contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable. Eye protection must be used where there is a known or potential risk of exposure to splashes ^{Footnote 16}.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols, or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). The use of needles, syringes, and other sharp objects should be strictly limited. Additional precautions should be considered with work involving animals or large scale activities ^{Footnote 16}.

SECTION VIII – HANDLING AND STORAGE

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle and, wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and apply an appropriate disinfectant, starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre. Allow sufficient contact time before clean up ^{Footnote 16}.

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes that contain or have come in contact with the infectious organism by autoclave, chemical disinfection, gamma irradiation, or incineration before disposing. ^{Footnote 16}.

STORAGE: The infectious agent should be stored in leak-proof containers that are appropriately labeled ^{Footnote 16}.

SECTION IX - REGULATORY AND OTHER INFORMATION

REGULATORY INFORMATION: The import, transport, and use of pathogens in Canada is regulated under many regulatory bodies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and Transport Canada. Users are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with all relevant acts, regulations, guidelines, and standards.

UPDATED: December 2011

PREPARED BY: Pathogen Regulation Directorate, Public Health Agency of Canada

Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Pathogen 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 ©
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011
Canada