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Characteristics
Morphology
Anaerobic, gram-negative bacilli, non-sporulating bacteria. Cells are slender with tapered ends or pleomorphism.
Disease

Pharyngotonsillitis, peritonsillar abscesses, Lemierre Disease, sepsis, metastastic abscesses in lungs, liver, joints and pleural spaces, intra-abdominal and pulmonary infections. Most prevalent species implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Zoonosis
Yes, through animal bites or handling infected animals with opens wounds/sores.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Humans and animals.
Modes of Transmission
Contact with mucous membranes, penetration through skin, transfer of bodily fluids, ingestion.
Signs and Symptoms 
Redness, swelling, pain, fever.
Infectious Dose Unknown.
Incubation Period 
Unknown.
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis None.
Vaccines None.
Treatment
Surgical drainage and/or treatment with appropriate antibiotics. If infection is discovered to be caused by F. nucleatum or F. necrophorum, treatment should be started promptly as these two species have been linked to deaths as a result of severe cases of Lemierre’s disease.
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
Cases have been reported.
 Sources
Feces, necrotic tissues, respiratory tract tissues, urogenital specimens, gut contents, litter, and soil. Cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol.
Supplemental References
BMBL:
 https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
Canada PSDS:
NIH Guidelines:
Risk Group & Containment Requirements
Risk Group 2

Agents that are associated with human disease which is rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available.
BSL2
For all procedures involving suspected or known infectious specimen or cultures.
ABSL2
For all procedures involving infected animals
Spill Procedures
Small
Notify others working in the lab. Remove PPE and don new PPE. Cover area of the spill with absorbent material and add fresh 1:10 bleach:water. Allow 20 munutes (or as directed) of contact time. After 20 minutes, cleanup and dispose of materials.
Large
  • 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. 
For assistance, contact MSU's Biosafety Officer (406-994-6733) or Safety and Risk Management (406-994-2711).
Exposure Procedures
Mucous membrane
Flush eyes, mouth, or nose for 5 minutes at eyewash station.
Other Exposures
Wash area with soap and water for 5 minutes.
Reporting
Immediately report incident to supervisor, complete a First Report of Injury form, and submit to Safety and Risk Management.
Medical Follow-up
During business hours: Bridger Occupational Health 3406 Laramie Drive. Weekdays 8am -6pm.  Weekends 9am-5pm
After business hours: Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Emergency Room 915 Highland Blvd Bozeman, MT
Viability
Disinfection
Susceptible to 1:10 bleach:water, 70 % ethanol
Inactivation
Inactivated by moist heat (60 minutes at 121oC) and dry heat (1 hour at 160-170oC), gamma irradiation.
Survival Outside Host
Persists in soil for up to 18 weeks; survives in fecal slurry up to 24 hours.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Minimum PPE Requirements
Lab coat, disposable gloves, safety glasses, closed toed shoes, long pants
Additional Precautions
 Additioanl PPE may be required depending on lab specific SOPs and IBC Protocol.