Aerococcus spp.
Aerococcus spp.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Aerococcus spp.
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: A. viridans, A. urinae, A. christensenii
CHARACTERISTICS: Gram positive cocci, usually singly or in tetrads; microaerophilic
SECTION II – HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: Opportunistic pathogen; associated with bacteremia, endocarditis and urinary tract infections ; primary cause of fatal lobster disease called gaffkemia; causes greenish discolouration of pickled and cooked meats, such as ham products
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Occurs worldwide
HOST RANGE: Lobsters, humans
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Opportunistic pathogen causing infections as a result of trauma, or in immune compromised individuals
INCUBATION PERIOD: Unknown
COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly transmitted from person to person
SECTION III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Widespread in nature; aquatic and marine environments; common airborne organism in hospitals; can also be found on human skin
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
SECTION IV – VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Penicillin, vancomycin, macrolides, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol
DRUG RESISTANCE: A. viridans displays a low level of resistance to aminoglycosides; penicillin resistance has been reported in 1 case; A. urinae is resistant to sulfonamides
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants – 1% sodium hypochlorite, iodines, 70% ethanol, 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: Survives well in nature – soil, marine environments
SECTION V – MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: None
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Wash exposed area with soap and warm water (omit soap if mucous membrane exposure); antibiotic therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None
PROPHYLAXIS: None
SECTION VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: No reported cases of laboratory infection with Aerococcus spp.
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Environmental sources – soil, water; blood, wound exudates, endometrium
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Hazard of infection is low, however, avoid accidental parenteral inoculation, ingestion, and inhalation of infectious droplets
SPECIAL HAZARDS: No special hazards
SECTION VII – RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Well designed laboratory with good microbiological techniques; this level of containment does not allow for any additional risk that may be present for persons with pre-existing disease, compromised immunity, or who are pregnant
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when direct contact with infectious materials 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 before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection
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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