MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Haemophilus ducreyi

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Chancroid, Ulcus molle, soft chancre; the Ducreyi bacillus

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-negative, aerobic, coccobacilli; cell wall contains lipooligosaccharide; bipolar staining; non-spore forming

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Acute bacterial infection usually localized in the genital area; characterized by single or multiple painful necrotizing ulcers in the genital area, accompanied by a painful inflammation, swelling and suppuration of regional lymph nodes (inguinal adenitis); extragenital lesions have been documented

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Occurs more often in males; prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions of the world; chancroid ulcers are associated with increased risk of HIV; uncircumcised are at higher risk of infection; some endemic transmission in migrant farm workers

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Direct sexual contact with discharges from open lesions and pus from buboes; auto-inoculation to non-genital sites may occur

INCUBATION PERIOD: From 3 - 5 days, up to 14 days

COMMUNICABILITY: Communicable until infectious agent persists in the original lesion or discharging regional lymph nodes; can last weeks to months without antibiotic treatment

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to ceftriaxone, erthromycin, co-trimoxazole, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, clavulanic acid

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, iodophor, povidone-iodine

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: 121° C for 15 minutes

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Sensitive to drying

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm bacteriologically

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer antibiotic therapy; fluctuant inguinal nodes should be aspirated through intact skin to prevent spontaneous rupture

IMMUNIZATION: None available

PROPHYLAXIS: None available

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: One reported by Trees et al. in 1992

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Lesion exudates

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

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

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

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: General needle safety precautions are important; do not recap, break or bend needles; discard used needles directly into a puncture-proof container

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: 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

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