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Characteristics
Morphology
Gram-positive facultative anaerobe that is usually found in pairs or chains.
Disease

Neonatal and newborn infections, UTIs, pneumonia, soft tissue infections, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, chorioamnionitis.
Zoonosis
Yes; cattle to humans is possible although not common.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Humans and animals.
Modes of Transmission
Direct or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or individuals.
Signs and Symptoms 
Hand-to-mouth and aerosol transmission is common. 10-30% of women are positive in their genital tracts although the bacterium is normally a resident of the gastrointestinal tract.
Infectious Dose Unknown.
Incubation Period 
For early onset disease, less than 7 days. For late onset disease, the incubation period is unknown.
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis Penicillin or ampicillin have been shown to reduce transmission and morbidity to the neonate.
Vaccines None.
Treatment
Penicillin or a combination of ampicillin and an aminoglycoside, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, erythromycin, cotrimoxazole, and ceftriaxone.
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
78 laboratory-acquired infections due to Streptococcus spp. were reported.
 Sources
Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, joint fluid, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, bone, vaginal, throat and rectal cultures, aerosols and feces. 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
Survives months in dry dust in buildings. It can also survive in milk at -20 ºC for 4 weeks and in fish tissues at -70ºC for at least 9 months.
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.