MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Gemella haemolysans

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: N/A

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram positive cocci; however they are easily decolorized and may appear gram negative or gram variable; occurs as diplococci with adjacent sides flattened (resembles those of neisseria); aerobic or facultatively anaerobic

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Normal flora of oral cavity or upper respiratory tract; low virulence, opportunistic agent for compromised hosts isolated from bronchial secretions and human gingiva; infection often occurs in previously damaged tissue - endocarditis; septic shock, meningitis, arthritis and pneumonia

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide occurrence

HOST RANGE: Humans; mammals

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Unknown

INCUBATION PERIOD: Unknown

COMMUNICABILITY: Not transmitted from person-to-person

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Many species of mammals

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to penicillin, streptomycin, tetrasulfathiazole, chloramphenicol, vancomycin

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

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: Does not survive well outside of host

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; immunological techniques not available

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Wash exposed area with soap and warm water (omit soap if mucous membrane exposure); antibiotic therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: Not usually administered

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: No reported cases of laboratory infection with Gemella spp.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Bronchial specimens; mucous membranes, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine or wound specimens

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Hazard of infection is low, however, avoid accidental parenteral inoculation, ingestion, and inhalation of infectious droplets

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Well designed laboratory with good microbiological techniques; this level of containment does not allow for any additional risk that may present for those persons with pre-existing disease, compromised immunity or who are pregnant

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

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

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

STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled

SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Date prepared: April, 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

[Material Safety Data Sheets - Index]