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Characteristics
Morphology
Small, pleomorphic bacterium, meaning it lacks a cell wall and can change its shape. It is typically gram-negative and facultatively anaerobic. Due to the absence of a cell wall, it is resistant to many antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis. 
Disease

Chronic pneumonia, otitis, tenosynovitis and Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD).

Zoonosis
None.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Cattle.
Modes of Transmission
Close contact, aerosolized respiratory secretions, and potentially through milk.
Signs and Symptoms 
Nasal discharge, cough, often appear depressed and may have excessive tearing. Pneumonia (coughing, rapid breathing, fever), arthritis (lameness, swollen joints), and otitis media (droopy ears, head tilting).
Infectious Dose Unknown.
Incubation Period 
2-3 weeks.
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis Minimizing stress, improving biosecurity, and potentially using vaccination.
Vaccines A modified live vaccine for M. bovis: Protivity.
Treatment
tulathromycin, enrofloxacin, or florfenicol
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
None.
 Sources
Cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol.
Supplemental References
BMBL:
https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
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
heat, chlorine, chlorhexidine, and iodine-based disinfectants, 0.5% citric acid and 1% sodium hypochlorite
Inactivation
Inactivated by moist heat (60 minutes at 121oC) and dry heat (1 hour at 160-170oC).
Survival Outside Host
In water, it can survive for 20-60 days, while in soil, it can persist for up to 14 days in summer and 3 months in winter.
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.