This document summarizes the classification of biohazardous agents and biosafety levels. It describes the main categories of microorganisms - bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, zoonotic pathogens, and toxins. It then outlines the four biosafety levels from BSL-1 to BSL-4, describing the hazards and standard practices for handling infectious materials at each level. BSL-1 involves the lowest risk agents while BSL-4 requires the highest level of containment for dangerous exotic agents that could cause life-threatening diseases.
This document summarizes the classification of biohazardous agents and biosafety levels. It describes the main categories of microorganisms - bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, zoonotic pathogens, and toxins. It then outlines the four biosafety levels from BSL-1 to BSL-4, describing the hazards and standard practices for handling infectious materials at each level. BSL-1 involves the lowest risk agents while BSL-4 requires the highest level of containment for dangerous exotic agents that could cause life-threatening diseases.
This document summarizes the classification of biohazardous agents and biosafety levels. It describes the main categories of microorganisms - bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, zoonotic pathogens, and toxins. It then outlines the four biosafety levels from BSL-1 to BSL-4, describing the hazards and standard practices for handling infectious materials at each level. BSL-1 involves the lowest risk agents while BSL-4 requires the highest level of containment for dangerous exotic agents that could cause life-threatening diseases.
classified in three phenotypes: Gram-positive (cocci or bacilli) Gram-negative (cocci or bacilli) Mycoplasmas (those that lack a cell wall) Note: When a bacterium causes harm and disease in human and/or animal hosts, they are referred to as bacterial pathogens. Examples: Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus anthracis. VIRUSES: Viruses are infectious entities, smallest of the replicating organisms have no metabolism of their own and are obligate parasites that depend on their host’s machinery for replication. Classification: DNA viruses RNA viruses Note: When a bacterium causes harm and disease in human and/or animal hosts, they are referred to as bacterial pathogens. Examples: Influenza virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Rabies virus, and Ebola virus. FUNGI: Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotic microorganisms are larger in size and have organelles, including a nucleus, vacuoles, and mitochondria. Classification: Yeasts Molds Note: These are two main categories known to have species that cause disease in human and/or animal hosts. Molds have been known to release spores and some toxins, thus increasing the risk to using certain strains. Examples: Aspergillus nigher, Candida albicans, and Histoplasma capsulatum. PARASITES: Protozoa and helminthes that live on or within a larger host organism at the host’s expense are considered parasites. Classification: Ecto-parasites live on the external surface or within the skin of their host and cause infestation. Endo-parasites live within the tissues or cells, but cause infections. Examples: Protozoa: Plasodium falciparum, Leishmania donovani, and Giardialamblia. Pathogenic helminthes: include: Trichinella spiralis (nematode), Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm), and Hymenolepis nana (tapeworm). ZOONOTIC PATHOGENS: Zoonotic pathogen refers to pathogens naturally transmitted between animals and humans. Pathways: Zoonoses can invade humans are via breathing air, drinking water, eating contaminated food, or hand to mouth contact.
Examples: Salmonellosis, Plague, Rabies, Toxoplasmosis, and
Prions. TOXINS: Toxins are poisonous substances that are produced by bacteria, animals or plants. They are usually active at very low concentration and vary in size. They range from small molecules to larger molecules such as, peptides or proteins. Classification: Endo-toxins are structural molecules that are embedded in the outer layer of the cell wall of certain Gram negative bacteria. Exo-toxins often heat labile proteins and polypeptides that are produced and secreted or released by a variety of species. Examples: venom and tetrodotoxin HUMAN BLOOD AND TISSUE:
Human blood and tissues is with what they may contain.
There are numerous blood borne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B & C, and TB. -Infected health-care worker can touch a patient and directly transmit a large number of microorganisms to the new host.
-The infected patient touches—and contaminates—an object, an
instrument, or a surface. Subsequent contact between that item and another patient is likely to contaminate the second individual who may then develop an infection. BIOSAFETY LEVELS BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 1 (BSL-1) Agents not known to cause disease in healthy adults – Some organisms may cause disease in immuno- compromised individuals Agents include Bacillus subtilis, Naegleria gruberi, infectious canine hepatitis virus, non-pathogenic E. coli species Standard practices required: – frequent hand washing – no smoking, eating, drinking, storage of food in Ambulance; – decontamination of work surfaces after every use of Ambulance; BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 1 (BSL-1) • Standard practices (continued): – decontamination of Ambulance Equipment; – "sharps" precautions, including special containers for disposing of needles and other sharp objects; – maintenance of insect/rodent control program; – use of personal protective equipment (Gown, latex gloves, eye protection or face shields) • Open bench top sink for hand washing BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 2 (BSL-2) Agents associated with human disease – Generally required for any human-derived blood, bodily fluids, tissues in which infectious agent may be unknown Agents include measles virus, Salmonella species, pathogenic Toxoplasma, Clostridium botulinum, hepatitis B virus Primary hazards: – accidental needle sticks – exposure to eyes and nose (mucous membranes) – ingestion of infectious materials BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 2 (BSL-2) Agents do not cause lethal infections, are not transmissible via airborne route – (do not cause infection if tiny droplets become airborne and are inhaled, which might occur if the material were spattered) Agents are pathogens for which immunization or antibiotic treatment is available Extreme care should be taken with contaminated needles and sharp instruments Standard practices include BSL-1 plus: – surveillance of EMS personnel with appropriate immunizations offered; BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 2 (BSL-2) Standard practices include BSL-1 plus: – Bio-safety manual with definitions of needed waste decontamination or medical surveillance policies; – supervisory staff who have experience working with infectious agents and specific training for EMS personnel in handling these agents Personal protective equipment: , gloves, face protection as needed Protective clothing removed when personnel leave contaminated area Secondary barriers: BSL-1 barriers plus autoclave for bleeding kit and Surgical kit BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 3 (BSL-3) Agents with potential for respiratory transmission, may cause serious and potentially lethal infection Agents include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii Primary hazards: needle sticks, ingestion, exposure to infectious aerosols Standard practices include BSL-2 plus: – decontamination – Similar to BSL-2 personal protective equipment – Respiratory equipment if risk of infection through inhalation BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 4 (BSL-4) Dangerous and exotic agents with high risk of life- threatening disease, aerosol-transmitted Related agents with unknown risk of transmission Agents (all viruses) include Marburg virus, Ebola virus, viruses that cause Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever • Primary hazards: – respiratory exposure to infectious aerosols – mucous membrane exposure to infectious droplets – accidental sticks with needles or other sharp objects contaminated with infectious material BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 4 (BSL-4) • For example – Workers studying infected monkeys from Uganda – First documented naturally-occurring human case occurred in 1975 • Personnel must receive specialized training to enter the scene for handling extremely dangerous infectious agents, containment equipment. • Immuno-compromised persons are never allowed to expose to these agents BIO-SAFETY LEVEL 4 (BSL-4) • Standard practices include BSL-3 plus: – changing clothing before entering and exiting contaminated area (showering upon exiting recommended); – decontaminating all material exiting facility – All physical barriers at BSL-3 REFERENCES 1. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health. Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. 5th ed. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 2007. http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/ biosfty/bmbl5/bmbl5toc.htm. Accessed February 6, 2008. 2. Clemson University Environmental Health and Safety. Biological Safety [online training].http://ehs.clemson.edu/training/biosafety/index.html. Accessed February 6, 2008. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Laboratory-Acquired West Nile Virus Infections — United States, 2002. MMWR Morb Mort Wkly Rep. 2002; 51:1133-1135. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/ mmwrhtml/mm5150a2.htmlAccessed February 6, 2008. 4. United States Government Accountability Office. High-Containment Biosafety Laboratories: Preliminary Observations on the Oversight of the Proliferation of BSL-3 and BSL-4 Laboratories in the United States. Publication GAO-08-108T. http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/ abstract.php?rptno=GAO-08-108T. Published October 4, 2007. Thank you!