MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Parvovirus (B19)

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Human parvovirus (HPV), human serum parvovirus-like virus; erythema infectiosum; slapped-cheek disease; fifth disease

CHARACTERISTICS: Family Parvoviridae; virion is 20-25 nm diameter, non-enveloped icosahedral; single-stranded DNA of either polarity, 5.54 Kb in length, virus replicates primarily in erythroid precursor cells and possibly in other sites (e.g., macrophages)

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Infection, occurs mostly in children, causing mild, usually nonfebrile, viral disease with erythematous eruption characterized by a striking erythema of the cheeks and a lacy red rash on the trunk and limbs; symptoms resolve in 7-10 days; 25% of the infections are asymptomatic; severe complications are unusual, but anaemic patients may develop transient aplastic crisis; intrauterine infection may cause fetal anaemia; severe anaemia in the immunosuppressed; protection conferred with development of antibodies.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; disease occurs in outbreaks, primarily among school-aged children; in temperate zones, epidemics tend to occur in winter and spring with a periodicity of 3-7 years; serological surveys among blood donors suggest approximately 60% of adults in western world have been exposed to the virus.

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: 0.5 mL of serum sample with two-fold dilution has produced disease in volunteers (intranasal)

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Through contact with infected respiratory secretions (saliva, sputum or nasal mucus); mother to fetus; parenterally by transfusion of blood and blood products

INCUBATION PERIOD: 4-20 days to development of rash or symptoms of aplastic crisis

COMMUNICABILITY: Greatest before onset of rash; individuals with aplastic crisis are communicable up to 1 week after onset of symptoms; immunosuppressed with chronic infection and severe anaemia may be communicable for months to years

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: N/A

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Probably susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite, aldehydes

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: B19 is resistant to inactivation by various methods including heating to 80° C for 72 hours

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survives storage in serum at - 20° C for years, retaining infectivity

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Serology screen for presence of antibodies; detection of viral antigens

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Standard wound cleansing for cuts/abrasions in the laboratory; treatment of symptoms

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: None

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 9 suggested cases have implicated occupational exposure from infected aerosols in laboratories (B. Cohen, 1988); 1 additional report in 1991 (Shirashi et al., 1991)

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Serum, respiratory secretions, autopsy specimens

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Possibly, exposure to infectious aerosols; accidental parenteral inoculation

SPECIAL HAZARDS: High titres of virus found in some serum samples

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities for activities involving known or potentially infectious clinical materials or cultures; avoid the generation of aerosols and work in a biosafety cabinet to contain such aerosols

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when direct contact with infectious materials is unavoidable; gloves and gown (tight wrists and tie in back) when working in the biosafety cabinet

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Pregnant women, especially if seronegative, should be restricted from working with this agent

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and then 1% sodium hypochlorite (glutaraldehyde for metal surfaces), starting at perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, incineration, chemical disinfection

STORAGE: In sealed containers that are properly 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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