Clostridium spp.
Clostridium spp.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET – INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES
SECTION I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Clostridium spp. (C. histolyticum, C. butyricum, C. septicum, C. sordellii, C. novyi, C. ramosum, C.bifermentans, C. paraperfringes, C. cadaveris, C. clostridiiforme, C. innocuum, C. limosum, C. paraputrificum, C. sporogenes, C. subterminale, C. tertium)
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: N/A
CHARACTERISTICS: Gram positive rod usually with subterminal spores; anaerobic
SECTION II – HEALTH HAZARD
PATHOGENICITY: Involved with gas gangrene of wounds; C. septicum – bacteremia and infections associated with malignancy; C. butyricum – necrotizing enterocolitis in infants; opportunistic pathogen
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide, especially in areas where contact with contaminated soil is likely
HOST RANGE: Humans, animals
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Not known
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Introduced through a wound contaminated with soil
INCUBATION PERIOD: Usually 1-3 days
COMMUNICABILITY: Not directly transmitted from person to person
SECTION III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Intestine of animals including humans; soil; animal feces
ZOONOSIS: None
VECTORS: None
SECTION IV – VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Susceptible to clindamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Sporeformers are fairly resistant; moderate susceptibility to 1% sodium hypochlorite; susceptible to glutaraldehyde (prolonged contact time)
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Sporeformers are fairly resistant to heat (spores destroyed by moist heat 121·C for at least 15 min)
SURYIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Spores survive for long periods outside host
SECTION V – MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Puncture wounds should be observed for abscess formations, gas in tissue
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Drainage of abcesses, removal of necrotic tissue, antibiotic therapy
IMMUNIZATION: None
PROPHYLAXIS: None
SECTION VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Rarely reported; 6 cases for Clostridium spp.
SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Clinical specimens – wound exudates
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Injuries from contaminated sharp instruments
SPECIAL HAZARDS: Direct contact with open cuts and lesions of the skin
SECTION VII – RECOMMENDED PRECAUTIONS
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Biosafety level 2 practices, containment equipment and facilities for activities involving clinical specimens and cultures
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Laboratory coat; gloves when direct contact with infectious materials is unavoidable or when there is evidence of cuts on hands
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: None
SECTION VIII – HANDLING INFORMATION
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle; wear protective clothing; gently cover spill with paper towels and apply a suitable disinfectant (high level, or 1% sodium hypochlorite), starting at perimeter and working towards the centre; allow sufficient contact time before clean up
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate before disposal; steam sterilization, chemical disinfection, incineration
STORAGE: In sealed containers that are appropriately labelled
SECTION IX – MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Date prepared: September 1996 Prepared by: Office of Biosafety
LCDC
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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