MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Aeromonas hydrophila

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Aeromonads

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram negative small rods, polar flagella, facultatively anaerobic, exotoxins

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Associated with gastroenteritis, wound infections (cellulitis), septicemia, ocular and respiratory tract infections, pneumonia and urinary tract infections; frequent pathogens for cold-blooded marine and freshwater amphibians and reptiles (red leg disease in frogs); also in birds

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; especially near freshwater sources; incidence of serious human disease is increasing and many isolates are probably misdiagnosed as coliforms

HOST RANGE: Humans, amphibians, fish, reptiles, birds

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Fecal-oral transmission; contact with contaminated water, food, soil, faeces; ingestion of contaminated fish or reptiles

INCUBATION PERIOD: Not clearly identified

COMMUNICABILITY: Not usually transmitted from person to person

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Salt and freshwater, soil, sewage

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to expanded- and broad-spectrum cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, carbapenems, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and the quinolones

DRUG RESISTANCE: Resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, carbenicillin and ticarcillin

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, 2% glutaraldehyde, iodines, phenolics, formaldehyde

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 natural water sources and soil

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Fluid replacement and antibiotic therapy as indicated

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: Not usually administered

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Faeces, urine, blood, sputum, bile

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion, accidental parenteral inoculation, direct contact of mucous membranes

SPECIAL HAZARDS: Naturally or experimentally infected cold-blooded animals

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

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

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

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Good personal hygiene and frequent handwashing

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with absorbent paper 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 before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration

STORAGE: In sealed containers

SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Date prepared: November 1999

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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