MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum spp., Trichophyton spp.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Dermatophytes, dermatomycosis, tinea, ringworm, Epidermophytosis, Trichophytosis, Microsporosis

CHARACTERISTICS: Form hyphae and arthrospores in keratinized tissue, develop characteristic colonies and conidia in culture, sexual spores in some species

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Mycotic disease of keratinized areas of the body (hair, skin and nails) and of variable severity depending on genera and species of dermatophyte; usually scaling or hair loss or breakage, sometimes erythema, induration, crusting or suppuration; lesions often circular or annular because of central healing

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide, relatively frequent; more common in hot, humid climates with crowding or debilitation; season prevalence varies with age; males are infected more often than females

HOST RANGE: Humans, domestic and wild animals (depending on genera and species of dermatophyte - host specific)

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Direct or indirect contact with skin or scalp lesions of infected people or animals or fomites ( floors, shower stalls, clothing) contaminated with desquamated epithelium

INCUBATION PERIOD: 4-10 days

COMMUNICABILITY: Communicable as long as infective lesions are present and viable

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans - anthropophilic; animals - zoophilic; soil - geophilic

ZOONOSIS: Yes; farmers, livestock handlers, laboratory workers, and persons who milk infected animals are at greater risk

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Griseofulvin ( several months treatment), miconazole, clotrimazole, itraconazole, fluconazole - depending on agent; topical treatment tolnaftate, halopregin, ciclopirox olumine

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, phenolics, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivated by moist heat (121° C for at least 15 min)

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Agents survive for months to years in dry, cool, shaded areas

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by microscopic examination of scrapings, culture

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Bathing with soap and water and topical application of appropriate fungicide

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: None

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Sixth most commonly reported laboratory-acquired infection; 161 reported cases most frequently associated with T. mentagrophytes; most acquired through contacts with naturally or experimentally infected laboratory animals (mice, rabbits, guinea pigs) and rarely, with handling cultures; processing of clinical material has not been associated with laboratory infections

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Skin, hair nails of human and animal hosts

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Contact with infected laboratory animals with inapparent or apparent infections

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities for all laboratory and experimental animal activities with dermatophytes

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when handling infected materials

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Good sanitation, cleaning and disinfection important

SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and apply 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, incineration, chemical disinfection

STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled

SECTION IX - MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Date prepared: March, 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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