MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT NAME: Rickettsia akari SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Rickettsialpox, Vesicular rickettsiosis CHARACTERISTICS: Pleomorphic gram-negative bacterium 0.6-1.0 µm, obligate intracellular SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD PATHOGENICITY: Infection manifested by an initial skin lesion at the site of a mite bite, associated with lymphadenopathy; fever, sweats, headache, disseminated vesicular rash; may be confused with chickenpox; death is uncommon EPIDEMIOLOGY: Occurred in urban areas of eastern USA (New York) and in USSR; incidence reduced by changes in management of garbage in tenement housing (only 6 cases in NY since 1971) HOST RANGE: Humans, rats, mice, voles INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Transmitted to man from mice by bite of infected mite; commensal rats are reported to be sources of infection in USSR INCUBATION PERIOD: Initial skin lesion appears 7 to 10 days after mite bite COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly communicated from person-to-person SECTION III - DISSEMINATION RESERVOIR: Maintained in nature in mites by transovarial passage; reservoir of house mice and rats ZOONOSIS: Yes - by bites of mites from infected animals VECTORS: Mites - Leponyssoides sanguineus SECTION IV - VIABILITY DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Chloramphenicol and tetracyclines are effective; tetracycline is the treatment of choice SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to moist heat (121° C for at least 15 min) and dry heat (160-170° C for at least l hour) SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Organism is unstable under ambient environmental conditions; sensitive to drying SECTION V - MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for signs of an ulcerating papule followed by chills and fever; diagnosis by serology or PCR FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Antibiotic therapy with tetracyclines IMMUNIZATION: None available PROPHYLAXIS: None SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 5 cases of rickettsial pox up to 1976 associated with exposure to bites of infected mites SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood and other tissues of infected mice or humans, and in mite vector PRIMARY HAZARDS: Exposure to naturally or experimentally infected mites; accidental parenteral inoculation; inhalation of aerosols SPECIAL HAZARDS: None SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 3 practices, containment and facilities for propagation and animals studies PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when direct contact with infectious materials is unavoidable; gown with tight wrists and ties in back for work in biosafety cabinet OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Appropriate precautions should be taken to avoid exposure of personnel to infected mites that are maintained in the laboratory or that may be present on naturally infected house mice SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing 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 all wastes before disposal; incineration, steam sterilization STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Date prepared: January, 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 © [Material Safety Data Sheets - Index]
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Last Updated: 2001-03-05 |