MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Peptococcus spp.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: P. anaerobius, P. asacharolyticus, P. constellatus, P. magnus

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-positive cocci; anaerobic; occurs singly, in pairs or chains, or in irregular clusters; do not require fermentable carbohydrates

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Part of normal flora of the mouth, upper respiratory tract, large intestine and genitourinary tract; cause a variety of infections (cystitis, septic arthritis surgical wound infections), some in synergy with other organisms, infections of soft tissues and bacteremias; opportunistic organisms

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide

HOST RANGE: Humans, lower animals

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Most frequently associated with trauma

INCUBATION PERIOD: Not known

COMMUNICABILITY: Not transmitted from person to person

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans, animals, soil

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to penicillin

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 ie. soil, mud

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Immunologic techniques being developed but reagents not widely available

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Antibiotic therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: Penicillin

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: No reported cases of lab infection with Peptococcus spp.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood, feces, genital specimens, respiratory secretions, wound exudates

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Hazard of infection is low, however avoid accidental parenteral inoculation, ingestion, 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 in 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 labelled

SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Date prepared: September, 1996 Prepared by: Office of Biosafety

LCDC

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.

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