MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Human papillomavirus

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: HPV, human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16 and 18, 31, 33, 35 common wart, viral warts, verruca vulgaris, condyloma acuminatum, venereal warts, papilloma venereum, carcinoma of the uterine cervix, cervical carcinoma

CHARACTERISTICS: Papovaviridae; naked icosahedral virions 55 nm in diameter, closed circular, double stranded DNA, replicate in nucleus; over 100 types of HPV

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Clinical manifestations varies with virus type; HPV types 6 and 11 are associated with benign lesions of the skin and mucous membrane (common warts, plantar warts, flat wart, anogenital warts, genital warts, epidermodysplasia verruciformis and laryngeal papillomas); HPV 16 , 18, 31, 33 and 35 are thought to be associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; at least 80-90% of dysplastic cervical lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) and cervical cancers have been reported to contain HPV DNA; studies have indicated that infection with HPV 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35 significantly increased the risk of cervical cancer; human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in USA

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By direct contact, autoinoculation (common wart spread by scratching) and by indirect contact (fomites - plantar warts acquired in showers), genital warts are spread by sexual contact, laryngeal papilloma transmitted to infants during passage through the birth canal

INCUBATION PERIOD: Usually 2-3 months; range 1-20 months

COMMUNICABILITY: Unknown, however, probably at least as long as visible lesions persist

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: No antiviral available to date, although interferons have demonstrated good clinical response against some warts

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Sensitive to 2% glutaraldehyde, 1% sodium hypochlorite

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to irradiation: survives heating at 65° C for 30 minutes

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Found to survive on floors

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by serological analysis

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Caustic agents (podophyllin, trichloroacetic acid [TCA]) for removal of some warts; cryotherapy and laser treatment; imiquimod (cream) - immune response modifiers

IMMUNIZATION: None available

PROPHYLAXIS: None available

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Warts

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Droplet exposure of the mucous membranes; accidental parenteral inoculation

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

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

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

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None

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 to the spill, 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, incineration, chemical disinfection

STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled

SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Date prepared: May, 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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