MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Taenia solium

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Taeniasis, pork tapeworm, cysticercosis, cysticerciasis

CHARACTERISTICS: Cestode, segmented tapeworm 2-7 m in length, scolex (head) with four suckers for attachment; proglottids, a self-contained hermaphroditic reproductive unit; eggs contain a fully developed, six-hooked (hexcanth) embryo; inhabits the human jejunum; larvae (cysticerci) capable of inducing somatic infections

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Taeniasis - mostly mild symptoms including nervousness; insomnia, anorexia, weight loss, abdominal pains and digestive disturbances; most infections are asymptomatic; human cysticercosis - due to infection with T. solium eggs, the cysticercus can develop in any organ in the body; most commonly in the central nervous system, with lesion normally found in the cerebrum, subarachnoid space and the ventricles of the brain; symptoms includes headache, papilledema, hemiparesis, decreased vision, and seizures

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; particularly frequent in places where pork is improperly cooked and in places with unsanitary conditions; prevalence is highest in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe

HOST RANGE: Humans are definitive host, pigs are intermediate host; also primates, sheep, dogs, cats

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Taeniasis - ingestion of raw or improperly cooked pork; human cysticercosis - direct transfer of the eggs from feces of man or pig, or indirectly through fecally-contaminated water or food; autoinfection may also occur through reverse peristalsis in individuals with Taeniasis

INCUBATION PERIOD: Human cysticercosis can appear from 10 days to > 10 years after infection; Taeniasis - eggs occur in stool 8-12 weeks after infection

COMMUNICABILITY: Direct person-to-person transmission is possible

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Pigs and humans

ZOONOSIS: Pig to human

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to niclosamide, praziquantel, albendazole

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to heat; sensitive to freezing at < 5° C for more than 4 days; irradiation

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Eggs may remain viable in the environment for months

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms in case of cysticercosis; confirm by microscopic demonstration of proglottids or eggs in feces; serology for cysticercosis

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administration of appropriate drug therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None available

PROPHYLAXIS: None available

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Stool specimens

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion of infective eggs

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment facilities for all activities involving the infective stages; Agriculture Canada may impose additional restrictions on use or importation

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with eggs or surfaces freshly contaminated with eggs

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Special attention to personal hygiene practices and hand washing

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes 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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