Echinococcus multilocularis Pathogen Safety Data Sheet
Agent Characteristics
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Morphology |
Parasite. Adult tapeworm 5-6 mm in length found in small intestine of canids and felids. Eggs produced and passed in feces cannot be distinguished from those of other members of the Family Taeniidae. Approximately 45 microns in diameter and containing a hexacanth embryo. |
| Zoonosis |
Yes, transmitted from canids and felids. Adult tapeworm found in foxes, wolves, coyotes, dogs and cats; intermediate hosts are voles, shrews, lemmings and mice; commonly maintained in nature in fox-rodent cycle in some geographic areas. Vectors: coprophagic flies may serve as mechanical vector of eggs. |
| Diseases |
Alveolar echinococcosis. |
Viability
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Disinfection |
Use a minimum of a 3.75% final dilution of household bleach. |
| Physical Inactivation |
Autoclave and dispose of as Regulated Medical Waste (RMW). See waste information for disposal of solid and liquid waste. |
Survival Outside of Host
|
Cysts can survive cold weather. |
Health Hazards
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Host Range |
Humans (high risk individuals include hunters and fur traders) and other mammals (canids, cats, rodents). |
| Modes of Transmission in the Lab |
Ingestion, exposure to mucous membranes, percutaneous for protoscoleces. |
| Signs and Symptoms |
Depends on location cysts; most cysts are in the liver or lungs so symptoms are those of liver or respiratory disease. |
| Infectious Dose |
Unknown. |
| Incubation Period |
Disease incubation highly variable from months to years depending on site of infection and number of parasite cysts. |
Laboratory Hazards
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs) |
No cases have been reported. |
| Sources |
Cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol. |
Medical-Related Information
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Prophylaxis Availability |
Praziquantel can be administered by a physician in case of accidental exposure. |
| Vaccine Availability |
None. |
| Medical Information |
You should inform the physician of any drug resistance(s) acquired by the lab strain(s) and any sequences inserted into the lab strain(s). |
| Surveillance |
Monitor for symptoms of infection (see "Health Hazards") |
| Virginia Tech Requirements |
Immediately report any exposures to Occupational Health. |
Waste Information
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Waste Disposal |
Refer to the EHS biological waste website for details on disposal of biohazardous waste. |
Containment Requirements
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| BSL-2 |
All procedures must be performed in a BSC, unless otherwise approved and stated in lab-specific manual.
This includes work with gravid tapeworm segments. |
| ABSL-2 |
For all procedures utilizing infected animals. |
| ACL-2 |
For all procedures utilizing infected arthropods. |
| BL2/BLN-2/BLP-2 |
Follow all applicable NIH Guidelines requirements |
| RG2 |
Agents that are associated with human disease which is rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available. |
Minimum PPE
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
Minimum Requirements
See Section 4.6 of University Biosafety Manual (UBM) for details |
- Tie back hair and wear closed-toe shoes, street clothing fully covering legs, lab coat, disposable gloves.
- Additional requirements listed in Section 15 of your lab-specific biosafety manual must be followed.
|
| Additional Precautions |
If centrifuge is outside of BSC and rotors are not sealed, wait 5 minutes after centrifuge completely stops before opening centrifuge. |
Spill Information
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
Small
Refer to Section 3 of the Lab-Specific Biosafety Manual (LSBM) for details on clean-up |
Notify others working in the lab. If contaminated, remove PPE and don new PPE. Follow spill procedures in Section 3 of the Lab-specific Biosafety Manual. |
Large
Refer to Section 1.8 of the University Biosafety Manual for details on clean-up |
- Immediately notify all personnel in the lab and clear all personnel from the area. Remove any contaminated PPE/clothing and leave the lab.
- Secure the area by locking doors, posting signage and guarding the area to keep people out of the space.
- Call 911 or non-emergency Campus Police (231-6411) and ask to notify EHS. Inform the Principal Investigator or Lab Manager/ Supervisor as soon as possible.
|
Exposure Information
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Eyes and Mucous Membranes (See section 1.3 and 1.5 of UBM for details) |
- Flush eyes for 5-10 minutes at eyewash station.
- Immediately flush membranes with plain water.
- Go to an appropriate health care provider. Bring a copy of this PSDS.
|
| Needle sticks and open wounds (See section 1.3 and 1.5 of UBM for details) |
- Clean and wash area thoroughly with soap and water, for a minimum of 5 minutes.
- For a needlestick, gently massage the area to make it bleed while washing.
- Go to an appropriate health care provider. Bring a copy of this PSDS.
|
