MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Trichuris trichiura

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Trichocephalus trichiurus, Trichuriasis, whipworm disease, Trichocephaliasis

CHARACTERISTICS: Helminth, nematode, whipworm; adult 3-5 cm long; anterior three-fifth of the worm mostly threadlike, posterior two-fifth contains reproductive organs; mature female produces 2000-10000 eggs per day; eggs are barrel shaped with two terminal polar plugs, ~ 52 µm x 22 µm

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Most infections are asymptomatic; heavy infections may be manifested as abdominal pains and chronic diarrhea with mucoid, bloody stools; rectal prolapse, clubbing of fingers, hypoproteinemia, anemia and growth retardation can occur in heavily infected children; malnourished patients may have serious clinical outcome

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; frequent in warm, moist regions; especially common in areas where the untreated fecal matter (night soil) is used as fertilizer; hyperendemic areas may have infection rates as high as 90%

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Ingestion of infective eggs from contaminated soils or food; eggs commonly found on vegetables from contaminated soil; eggs require 10-30 days of incubation in moist soil to become infective

INCUBATION PERIOD: Indefinite; depends on the infection load and nutritional status

COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly transmitted from person-to-person; eggs appears in feces about 70-90 days after ingestion; carriers may shed eggs for years if not treated

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to albendazole, mebendazole and oxantel

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

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to freezing

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Sensitive to drying

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by microscopic demonstration of eggs in feces or sigmoidoscopic observation of adult worms

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer 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; droplet exposure of mucous membrane

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving the parasite, infectious or potentially infectious body fluids or tissues

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None

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 centre; 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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