Treponema Pallidum
Treponema Pallidum
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Treponema pallidum
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Syphilis, Lues
CHARACTERISTICS: Spirochete, helically coiled, corkscrew-shaped cell, 6-15 µm long 0.1-0.2 µm wide; outer membrane, axial membrane (membrane-covered flagella), cytoplasmic tubules, an inner cytoplasmic membrane
SECTION II – HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: Diverse clinical manifestations; initial genital tract lesion followed by disseminated lesions and cardiovascular and neurologic problems; CNS disease manifested as acute syphilitic meningitis; infection during pregnancy results in fetal death and numerous birth defects; infections are usually chronic; death or serious disability is rare
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; primarily involving young people between 20-35 years
HOST RANGE: Humans
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By direct contact with skin lesions, mucous membranes, body fluids and secretions (semen, vaginal discharge, saliva, blood) of infected persons during sexual contact; rarely by kissing, blood transfusion; congenital transmission is possible
INCUBATION PERIOD: From 10 days to 3 months; usually 3 weeks
COMMUNICABILITY: During the primary and secondary stages of the disease and during the recurrent lesions; inapparent lesions may be potentially infectious
SECTION III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Humans
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
SECTION IV – VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Sensitive to penicillin G, doxycycline, tetracycline
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to 70% ethanol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sensitive to heating at 65° C for 30 minutes
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survives up 24 hours in blood at room temperature
SECTION V – MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by serological analysis and microscopic demonstration
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer appropriate drug therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None available
PROPHYLAXIS: None available
SECTION VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Fifteen cases were reported up to 1980
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Semen, vaginal secretions, lesion material
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, droplet exposure on mucous membrane
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None
SECTION VII – RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices and containment equipment for all activities involving the bacteria and potentially infectious tissues or fluids
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when skin contact with infectious materials is unavoidable
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: Pregnant women should avoid contact with infectious material
SECTION VIII – HANDLING INFORMATION
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wearing protective clothing, gently cover the spill with absorbent paper and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; 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: May, 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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