MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Micrococcus spp.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: M. luteus, M. lacticum, M. freundenreichii, M. roseus, M. varians

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-positive cocci, aerobic, occur in irregular masses (characteristically divide in one or more planes)

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Most strains are saprophytic and non-pathogenic found in soil, water, dust, and dairy products; frequently found on the skin of man and other animals; some species are opportunistic pathogens (pathogenicity is uncertain because isolations are very frequently from sites where other potential pathogens are present); may occasionally participate in infections like endocarditis; localized cutaneous infections in the immune-compromised

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide

HOST RANGE: Humans, 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 - soil, water, dust; skin of humans and animals

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to antibiotics (rifampicin, gentamicin, vancomycin, teicoplanin)

DRUG RESISTANCE: nitrofurantoin

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

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

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survives well in nature - soil, fresh water

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; bacteriological confirmation; immunological techniques not available

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Wash exposed area with warm water and soap (omit soap if mucous membrane exposure); Antibiotic therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: Not usually administered

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: No reported cases of laboratory infection with Micrococcus spp.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Environmental sources - soil, water; skin

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Hazard of infection is low, however, avoid accidental parenteral inoculation, ingestion, and inhalation of infectious droplets

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 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 before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection

STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately identified

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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