Enterococcus spp. Pathogen Safety Data Sheet
Agent Characteristics
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Morphology |
Gram-positive coccus or spherical, non-sporeforming, facultative anaerobic bacteria that grows in pairs or chains. |
| Zoonosis |
Yes, but rare. |
Diseases
|
Menigitis, endocarditis, urinary tract infections. |
Viability
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Disinfection |
10% final dilution of household bleach (minimum 0.3% sodium hypochlorite); or 70% ethanol. |
| 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
|
Commensal in intestine of humans. Limited survival in water and on contaminated surfaces. |
Health Hazards
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Host Range |
Humans, poultry and fish. |
| Modes of Transmission in the Lab |
Ingestion, exposure of mucous membranes,penetration through skin; wound contamination. |
| Signs and Symptoms |
Urinary infections, diarrhea, redness and swelling at site of infection. |
| Infectious Dose |
>106-107 organisms. |
| Incubation Period |
Days to weeks. |
Laboratory Hazards
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs) |
None have been reported. |
| Sources |
Cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol. |
Medical-Related Information
| Topic |
Description |
|---|
| Prophylaxis Availability |
None. |
| 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. |
| 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.
|
