![]() |
|||||||||||||||||
![]() |
|||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
|
|||||||||||||||
![]() |
![]() |
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT NAME: Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: LCM, lymphocytic meningitis CHARACTERISTICS: Arenaviridae; ssRNA, enveloped, 50-150 nm diameter SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD PATHOGENICITY: Biphasic febrile illness, diversity of clinical manifestations - mild influenza-like illness or occasionally, meningeal or meningoencephalomyelitic symptoms, transverse myelitis, a Guillain-Barre-type syndrome; orchitis or parotitis; usually short duration; no chronic infection, infection asymptomatic in one third of individuals; rarely fatal, mortality <1%, recovery from severe disease without sequelae in most cases; temporary or permanent neurological damage is possible; pregnancy-related infection has been associated with abortion, congenital hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis and mental retardation EPIDEMIOLOGY: Initially isolated in 1933; prevalence in humans 2-10%; individuals of all ages are susceptible, infrequent U occurrence, sporadic cases have been reported; outbreaks have occurred from infected pet hamsters or laboratory animals; cases reported in Europe, the Americas, Australia and Japan HOST RANGE: Humans, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, monkeys INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Infected mice excrete virus in saliva, urine and feces; man is infected through inhalation of infectious aerosolized particles of rodent urine, feces or saliva, food contaminated with virus, contamination of mucus membranes, skin lesions or cuts with infected body fluids INCUBATION PERIOD: 8-13 days; 15-21 days (meningeal symptoms) COMMUNICABILITY: No evidence of person to person spread; vertical transmission from mother to child is possible SECTION III - DISSEMINATION RESERVOIR: House mouse (Mus musculus) - virus is harboured throughout life of mouse and transmitted to offspring which become healthy carriers; natural infections also occur in non-human primates (including macaques and marmosets), swine, dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs ZOONOSIS: Yes VECTORS: None SECTION IV - VIABILITY DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: evidence of ribavirin susceptibility from in vitro studies SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, 70% ethanol, formaldehyde PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to heat inactivation SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Virus survives out of host - mice droppings SECTION V - MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirmation by virus isolation, serology FIRST AID/TREATMENT: No specific treatment; anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful IMMUNIZATION: None available PROPHYLAXIS: None available SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Well documented hazard (46 cases with 5 deaths), especially from infected laboratory rodents (hamsters and mice); cases also reported arising from contaminated cell lines SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood, CSF, urine, secretions of the nasopharynx, feces; infected tissues from animals or human sources; presence of virus may be ascertained by inoculation of sample into uninfected mice, presence of specific antibodies by ELISA or IFA is considered diagnostic PRIMARY HAZARDS: Parenteral inoculation, inhalation, contamination of mucous membranes or broken skin with infected animal tissues or fluids, and exposure to infectious aerosols SPECIAL HAZARDS: Contaminated tissue cultures represent a potential hazard SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices safety equipment and facilities for laboratory-adapted LCM strains; biosafety level 3 practices, safety equipment, and facilities for activities involving the manipulation of the neurotropic strains of virus and animal studies PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves and gown with tight wrists and tie in back should be worn while working with infectious materials OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Special precautions when working with infected hamsters may be indicated (HEPA filtered respirator); virus may pose a special risk during preganancy because of potential infection of the fetus SECTION VIII - HANDLING INFORMATION SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time before clean up (30 min) DISPOSAL: Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration 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 © [Material Safety Data Sheets - Index]
|
![]() |
|||
![]() |
Last Updated: 2001-05-15 | ![]() |