MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Mycoplasma orale, M. salivarium, M. fermentans

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: N/A

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-negative pleomorphic cells, smaller than conventional bacteria (0.2-2µm), parasitic and saprophytic in existence

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Mucosally associated, respiratory and urogenital tract localization, rarely penetrates the submucosa; M. orale - common in upper respiratory tract; M. salivarium - common non-pathogenic species of upper respiratory tract and oral cavity; M. fermentans - occasionally isolated from oropharynx of humans, strains have been isolated from brains of AIDS patients

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; M. salivarium frequently isolated from individuals with periodontal disease

HOST RANGE: Humans, non-human primates

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Droplet exposure from the oropharynx

INCUBATION PERIOD: Not clearly identified

COMMUNICABILITY: Low

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans, non-human primates; M. salivarium occasionally found in horses

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin and aminoglycosides

DRUG RESISTANCE: M. fermentans isolates from AIDS patients are erythromycin resistant

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

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

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Sensitive and will only survive 4-6 h at room temperature

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Antibiotic therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None available

PROPHYLAXIS: Not usually administered

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 4 reported cases of Mycoplasma infection up to 1976

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood, synovial fluid, amniotic fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, prostatic secretions, semen, wound aspirates, sputum, pleural fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage specimens; swabs from nasopharynx, cervix, vagina, wounds and urethra

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Low risk; droplet exposure of mucus membranes; infectious aerosols; parenteral inoculation; ingestion

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Well designed laboratory with good microbiological 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 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 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

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