Actinomyces spp.
Actinomyces spp.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Actinomyces spp.
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: A. israelii, A. naeslundii, A. meyeri, A. propionicus was Arachnia propionica now called (Propionibacterium propionicum), A. odontolyticus
CHARACTERISTICS: Gram positive rods that grow as filaments, branching rods and diphtheroid rods; non-spore-forming; contains well developed pili; microaerophilic to anaerobic; contains sulfur granules
SECTION II – HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: Opportunistic pathogen. Chronic bacterial disease localized in jaw, thorax, or abdomen. Characterized by persistent swelling, suppuration and formation of abscesses or granulomas; major types are cervicofacial, thoracic and abdominal; hematogenous spread to other organs, although rare, is possible. May also be involved in pelvic inflammatory disease associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices. A. naeslundii is believed to be involved in dental caries and periodontal disease
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; normal inhabitant of the mouth and found in saliva, on the tongue, gingival crevices; disease results after trauma or immune suppression; infrequent disease, sporadic, 15-35 years of age; 2 to 1 male/female ratio
HOST RANGE: Humans, and other Actinomyces species in cattle, horses and other animals
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Person-to-person by contact of mouth, aerosols, fomites
INCUBATION PERIOD: Irregular, may be days or months after precipitating trauma of oral tissues
COMMUNICABILITY: Unknown
SECTION III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Humans; the organisms grow as saprophytes in normal oral cavity
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
SECTION IV – VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to penicillin, cephalosporin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, carbenicillin
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants: 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to heat
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survived on glass surface for 49 days and in tap water for up to 3 days
SECTION V – MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms and demonstration of organism in tissue or pus
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Surgical drainage of abscesses, antibiotic therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None available
PROPHYLAXIS: None available
SECTION VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: One case was reported that was due to the inhalation of infectious aerosols
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Saliva, tissue, pus
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, inhalation of infectious aerosols
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None
SECTION VII – RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment facilities for all activities involving the bacteria or any infectious fluid or tissue
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious material is unavoidable
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None
SECTION VIII – HANDLING INFORMATION
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing gently cover spill with absorbent paper towel and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre; 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: November 1999
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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