Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Branhamella catarrhalis

PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Branhamella catarrhalis

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Neisseria catarrhalis, Moraxella catarrhalis

CHARACTERISTICS: Gram-negative diplococci, aerobic, oxidase +, clinically significant strains usually produce B-lactamase

SECTION II - HEALTH HAZARD

PATHOGENICITY: Normal inhabitant of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, occasionally causing bronchitis, pneumonia, otitis media and sinusitis; has also been known to cause life-threatening, systemic diseases including endocarditis and meningitis

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide; distinct seasonal pattern (November to May) associated with B. catarrhalis recovery

HOST RANGE: Humans

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: By direct contact with droplets and discharges from nose and throat of infected persons; not commonly transmitted as organism is of low virulence; nosocomial transmission is being increasingly documented

INCUBATION PERIOD: Not known

COMMUNICABILITY: Low communicability

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans

ZOONOSIS: None

VECTORS: None

SECTION IV - VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Majority of strains are susceptible to cephamycins, cephalosporins, amoxicillin-clavulanate, tetracyclines and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

DRUG RESISTANCE : An estimated 90% of strains now produce B-lactamase

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptible to many disinfectants - 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, iodines, phenolics

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Susceptible to moist heat (121°C for at least 15 min) and dry heat (160-170°C for at least 1 hour)

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Limited

SECTION V - MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms; confirm by isolation of organism in respiratory specimens

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Antibiotic therapy

IMMUNIZATION: None

PROPHYLAXIS: None

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Low risk of infection

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Nasopharyngeal specimens, blood, cerebrospinal fluid

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Parenteral inoculation; droplet exposure of mucous membranes

SPECIAL HAZARDS: No special hazards

SECTION VII - RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities are recommended for all activities utilizing known or potentially infectious specimens and cultures of Neisseria spp.

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; wear protective clothing; gently cover spill with paper towels and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite, starting at perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time (30 min) before clean up

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration

STORAGE: In sealed containers that are labelled appropriately

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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