Opisthorchis spp.
Opisthorchis spp.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Opisthorchis spp.
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Opisthorchiasis, 0. felineus, 0. viverrini
CHARACTERISTICS: Liver fluke, helminth, trematode; leaf-like shape, 8-12 mm in length; reside in the biliary and pancreatic ducts of the mammalian host and remain attached to the mucosa; snails are first intermediate hosts where the organism undergoes several developmental stages (sporocysts, rediae, cercariae); released cercariae penetrate freshwater fish (second intermediate host); mammalian definitive hosts become infected by consuming fish containing metacercariae; eggs are yellowish-brown, oval, average 28 x 16 µm and release miracidia in the first intermediate host
SECTION II – HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: Most infections are asymptomatic; clinical manifestations include dyspepsia, abdominal discomforts or pains; diarrhea or constipation, hepatomegaly and malnutrition, enlarged gall bladder and relapsing cholangitis; occasional complications includes gallstones and obstructive jaundice; cholangiocarcinoma is associated with opisthorchiasis; infection may also present an acute phase of fever, edema, lymphadenopathy, arthralgias, rash and eosinophilia
EPIDEMIOLOGY: 0. viverrini endemic in Thailand, Laos, Kampuchea; 0. felineus reported in central, eastern and southern Europe, particularly Poland, Germany and European Commonwealth of Independent States
HOST RANGE: Humans, snails, fish, cats, dogs, and fish-eating mammals
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Ingestion of raw or improperly cooked fish containing encysted larvae
INCUBATION PERIOD: Usually 2-3 weeks
COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly transmitted from person-to-person
SECTION III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Cyprinoid fish, carp; dogs, cats and fish-eating mammals
ZOONOSIS: Yes – infection acquired from animals, which act as definitive hosts
VECTORS: Snails
SECTION IV – VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to praziquantel
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: All infective stages sensitive to heating at 56° C for 30 minutes
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Sensitive to freeze and thawing
SECTION V – MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms, confirm by microscopic demonstration of eggs in feces (eggs are indistinguishable from those of Chlonochis)
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer appropriate drug therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None available
PROPHYLAXIS: None available
SECTION VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Feces
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Ingestion of infective eggs; skin penetration of infective larvae
SPECIAL HAZARDS: Infected animals pose a potential hazard to laboratory personnel
SECTION VII – RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment equipment, facilities are recommended for activities with infective stages of the parasite and infectious body fluids or tissues
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, starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow sufficient contact time (30 mins) 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: 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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