MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Haemophilus influenzae (group b)

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Haemophilus meningitis, bacterial meningitis, Pfeiffer's bacillus, Hib

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-negative, coccobacillus, aerobic, non-motile, polysaccharide capsulated biotype I (pathogenic for children) and non-capsulated biotypes II and III (normal inhabitants)

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Most common bacterial meningitis in children, neurologic sequelae occurs in 15-30%; otitis media or sinusitis may be a precursor; associated with bacteremia; sudden onset, fever, vomiting, lethargy, meningeal irritation of bulging fontanelle in infants or stiff neck in older children; progressive stupor or coma; acute epiglottitis (obstructive laryngitis); arthritis; cellulitis; osteomyelitis; pericarditis; case fatality rate is 2-5%

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; most prevalent in the 2-month to 3-year age group, unusual over 5 years; secondary cases may occur in families and day-care centres; bimodal seasonal pattern of infection peaking in September/December and March/May; individuals with chronic diseases (e.g. sickle cell anaemia) are particularly susceptible

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By droplet infection and discharges from nose and throat during the infectious period; portal of entry is most commonly nasopharyngeal

INCUBATION PERIOD: Short, 2-4 days

COMMUNICABILITY: Communicable as long as organisms are present; may be for a prolonged period even without nasal discharge; noncommunicable within 24-48 hours after starting effective antibiotic therapy

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Chloramphenicol or an effective third generation cephalosporin (cefotaxime or ceftriaxone)

DRUG RESISTANCE: Ampicillin (24%), trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (13.7%), loracarbef (6.1%), cefaclor (4.2%)

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, iodines, glutaraldehyde, 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: Sputum - 12 days; wooden spatula - 2-7 days; plastic - 7-16 days

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for clinical signs; smears and bacteriological studies

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Antibiotic therapy for 10-14 days

IMMUNIZATION: Conjugate haemophilus vaccine recommended for children > 18 months of age and other high risk groups

PROPHYLAXIS: Rifampin prophylaxis for close contacts

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: 4 reported cases up to 1976 by Pike; 1 eye infection reported by Jacobson et al. (1985)

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pharyngeal exudates, pleural fluid, joint fluid, middle-ear aspirates

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Droplet exposure of mucous membranes; infectious aerosols; parenteral inoculation; ingestion

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 containment and practices for all activities involving clinical materials or cultures; additional personnel precautions and containment equipment as described for Biosafety level 3 for activities with high potential for aerosol production

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when direct contact with infectious materials is unavoidable; gloves and gown (ties in back with tight wrists) when working in biosafety cabinet

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

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