Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP)
\nBoston University
\n617-358-7647<\/p>\n
Staphylococcus aureus<\/em><\/strong> belongs to the family Staphylococcaceae<\/em>. It is a facultatively anaerobic, nonmotile, gram positive cocci bacteria that forms irregular clusters. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus<\/em> (MRSA) is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics called beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin, and amoxicillin.<\/p>\n In the community, most MRSA infections are skin infections. More severe or potentially life-threatening MRSA infections occur most frequently among patients in healthcare settings.<\/p>\n Opportunistic pathogen, normal flora; produces a variety of syndromes with a range of clinical manifestations; clinically different in general community, newborns, menstruating women, and hospitalized patients; food intoxication is characterized by abrupt\/violent onset, severe nausea, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea using lasting 1-2days; animal bites can result in localized infections; may cause surface or deep\/system infections in both community and hospital settings; surface infections include impetigo, folliculitis, abscesses, boils, infected lacerations; deep infections include endocarditis, meningitis, septic arthritis, pneumonia, osteomyelitis; newborns are susceptible to scalded skin syndrome (SSS) caused by exfoliative toxins; may be colonized during delivery resulting in sepsis meningitis; toxic shock syndrome is an acute multi-system illness caused by TSST-1 a super antigen; characterized by sudden onset, high fever, vomiting, profuse watery diarrhea, myalgia, hypotension and erythematous rash.<\/p>\n <\/strong>Risk Group\/BSL Modes of Transmission<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong>Host Range\/Reservoir Reservoir – Human; patients with indwelling catheters or IVs act as reservoirs for nosocomial infections; food borne – occasionally cows with infected udders<\/p>\n Symptoms Incubation Period Viability Survival Outside Host Lab coat, gloves and eye protection when direct skin contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable.<\/p>\n BSL-2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures. Procedures that are likely to generate aerosols should be conducted in a biosafety cabinet. Practices may be enhanced based on risk assessment.<\/p>\n None available<\/p>\n S aureus is a common community pathogen and most cases of infection with this pathogen can be handled with standard precautions. MRSA patients should be placed in contact precautions and providers should don gloves and gown, in addition to practicing hand hygiene.<\/p>\n Diagnosis is made via clinical cultures and gram stain. Site of cultures are based on manifestation of infection.<\/p>\n Perform one of the following actions:<\/p>\n Treatment of MRSA infections should be based on the results of the sensitivities from the clinical cultures. Empiric treatment for non-critical illnesses can include Doxycycline, Bactrim, Clindamycin and Vancomycin. For more severe infections, empiric treatment should include intravenous antibiotics.<\/p>\n Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett\u2019s Principles and practices of Infectious Disease 6th<\/sup> Edition, Elsevier, 2005.<\/p>\n CDC – http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mrsa\/community\/index.html<\/p>\nDisease\/Infection<\/h3>\n
Pathogenicity<\/h3>\n
Biosafety Information<\/h3>\n
\n<\/strong>Risk Group 2
\nBiosafety Level 2 practices<\/p>\n\n\n
\n <\/td>\n Transmission<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Skin Exposure (Needlestick, animal bite, or scratch):<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mucous Membrane Exposure Splash to Eye(s), Nose or Mouth:<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Inhalation:<\/td>\n Unlikely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ingestion:<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n
\n<\/strong>Host Range includes humans; to a lesser extent, warm-blooded animals<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Symptoms are dependent on the site of infection. Systemic infection may cause fever, headache malaise, and myalgia.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>4-10 days<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Susceptible to many disinfectants – 1% sodium hypochlorite, iodine\/alcohol solutions, glutaraldehyde, and formaldehyde.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Carcass and organs – up to 42 days; floor – less than 7 days; glass – 46 hours; sunlight – 17 hours; UV – 7 hours; meat products – 60 days; coins – up to 7 days; skin from 30 min to 38 days.<\/p>\nInformation for Lab Workers<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Laboratory PPE<\/h3>\n
Containment<\/h3>\n
In Case of Exposure\/Disease<\/h3>\n
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\n<\/strong>You will be referred to or transported to the appropriate health care location by the emergency response team.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n
Vaccination<\/h3>\n
Information for First Responders\/Medical Personnel<\/h2>\n
<\/strong>Public Health Issues<\/h3>\n
Diagnosis\/Surveillance<\/h3>\n
First Aid\/Post Exposure Prophylaxis<\/h3>\n
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\n Skin Exposure (Needlestick or scratch):<\/td>\n Immediately go to the sink and thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes. Decontaminate any exposed skin surfaces with an antiseptic scrub solution.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Mucous Membrane Splash to Eye(s), Nose or Mouth:<\/td>\n Exposure should be irrigated vigorously.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Splash Affecting Garments:<\/td>\n Remove garments that may have become soiled or contaminated and place them in a double red plastic bag.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n <\/strong>Treatment<\/h3>\n
References<\/h3>\n