MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Epstein-Barr virus

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: EBV, infectious mononucleosis (IM), glandular fever, Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), Nasopharangeal carcinoma (NPC), Human herpes virus (HHV) 4

CHARACTERISTICS: Double-stranded linear DNA, 120-150 nm diameter, enveloped, icosahedral; types A and B; Herpesviridae (Gammaherpesvirinae)

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Infectious mononucleosis - acute viral syndrome with fever, sore throat, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy; one to several weeks, rarely fatal/ Burkitt's lymphoma - monoclonal tumour of B cells, usually involving children jaw involvement is common; AIDS patients( 25% -30% are EBV related) / Nasopharangeal carcinoma - malignant tumour of epithelial cells of the nasopharynx involving adults between 20 and 40 years

EPIDEMIOLOGY: EBV infects 80 - 90% of all adults world wide; mononucleosis is common in early childhood worldwide, typical disease occurs in developed countries mainly in young adults; Burkitt's tumour is worldwide but hyperendemic in highly malarial areas such as tropical Africa; carcinoma is worldwide but highest in Southeast Asia and China, especially in males; EBV plays important pathogenic role in approximately 97% of BL cases in Africa and Papua New Guinea

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Mononucleosis - person-to-person by oropharyngeal route via saliva, possible spread via blood transfusion (not important route); Burkitt's lymphoma - primary infection occurs early in life or involves immunosuppression and reactivation of EBV later, malaria an important co-factor; NPC infection occurs in early life and reactivation later with epithelial invasion

INCUBATION PERIOD: IM - 4-6 weeks; BL - 2-12 years from primary infection, shorter in AIDS patients; NPC - unknown

COMMUNICABILITY: IM - prolonged period, up to 1 year or more, 15-20% of EBV antibody-positive adults are oropharyngeal carriers; tumours are not communicable

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Not applicable

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivated by heat (50-60° C for at least 30 min)

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survives at room temp for a few days, 2-3 days at refrigeration temperature, -70° C many years

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm serologically (heterophile antibody titre) positive in 85-90% of IN patients

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: No specific treatment; steroids may be of some value in severe cases

IMMUNIZATION: Subunit vaccines against EBV are in trial stage

PROPHYLAXIS: None

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 2 reported cases of EB infection up to 1976

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Clinical specimens - nasopharyngeal secretions, blood

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion, accidental parenteral inoculation, droplet exposure of the mucous membranes, inhalation of concentrated aerosolized materials

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities for activities utilizing known or potentially infectious clinical materials or cultures

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

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Procedures that are likely to generate aerosols should be conducted in a biosafety cabinet

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wear protective clothing; gently cover spill with 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, 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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