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Characteristics
Morphology
Anaerobic, non-sporing, gram-positive cocci.
Disease

Oropharyngeal, sinus, ear, musculoskeletal, intraabdominal, genitourinary tract, dental, peritonsillar, superficial, and soft tissue infections.
Zoonosis
Transmission of the bacterium to humans via dog and cat bites has been reported.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Humans as well as from rat, mouse, cat, dog, monkey, and rabbit feces.
Modes of Transmission
Infection is usually associated with trauma or disease.
Signs and Symptoms 
Pain, fever, nausea, swelling.
Infectious Dose Unknown.
Incubation Period 
Unknown.
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis None.
Vaccines None.
Treatment
Penicillin, cephalosporins, carbapenems, trovafloxacin, clinafloxacin, and metronidazole (some resistance has been reported). In cases with abscesses, drainage combined with chemotherapy may be necessary.
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
No cases have been reported.
 Sources
Urine, blood, pus, feces, aspirates, and vaginal secretions. 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
2-5% phenol, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 4% formaldehyde, 2% glutaraldehyde, 70% ethanol, 70% propanol, 2% peracetic acid, 3-6% hydrogen peroxide and iodine
Inactivation
Inactivated by moist heat (60 minutes at 121oC) and dry heat (1 hour at 160-170oC)
Survival Outside Host
May survive in the environment.
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.