Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Bordetella pertussis

PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Bordetella pertussis

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Originally named Haemophilus pertussis F ^{Footnote 1}, Whooping cough ^{Footnote 2}.

CHARACTERISTICS: Bordetella pertussis are small, gram-negative, encapsulated, non-motile, coccobacilli with outer pili. They are generally about 0.5-1.0 µm in size^{Footnote 3-Footnote 5}. Some have reported that the bacteria are covered with surface slime or biofilm composed of carbohydrates^{Footnote 6} . B. pertussis is a strict aerobe and grows optimally at 35°C to 37°C^{Footnote 3} ; however, it is fastidious in its nutritional requirements as it specifically requires nicotinamide supplement^{Footnote 5} , and growth can be inhibited by the presence of fatty acids, metal ions, sulphides, and peroxides in the media^{Footnote 3} . Its production of extracellular toxins such as pertussis toxin (PT), invasive adenylate cyclase, and tracheal cytotoxin greatly contributes to its pathogenicity^{Footnote 5} .

SECTION II - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: B. pertussis is a respiratory pathogen that causes pertussis, also known as whooping cough, a localized infection of the ciliated epithelium of the bronchial tree ^{Footnote 3Footnote 7}. The disease affects mainly children, but adults have also been increasingly reported to be affected ^{Footnote 2Footnote 8}. The pathogen produces toxins which cause local damage to the cilia of epithelial cells, which leads to prolonged illness and pertussis^{Footnote 2Footnote 5}. Symptoms of pertussis can be either typical (classical) or atypical ^{Footnote 3}. Four hundred thousand fatal cases are reported each year ^{Footnote 9}.

Typical symptoms occur in three different stages ^{Footnote 3}. The first stage is the catarrhal stage. This stage lasts for about 1-2 weeks, and is characterized by non-specific symptoms such as rhinorrhea, sneezing, low-grade fever and cough. The second stage is the paroxysmal stage, lasting for about 1-6 weeks, and is characterized by various pathognomonic symptoms of pertussis such as episodes of paroxysmal cough with a characteristic whooping sound. The paroxysmal cough can also be associated with post-tussive cyanosis and emesis ^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}. The final stage is the convalescent stage. During this stage, the respiratory symptoms gradually decrease although coughing may last for several months ^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}. Atypical pertussis, a less severe respiratory illness which include prolonged, nonparoxysmal cough occurs mainly in older immunized children and adults ^{Footnote 3Footnote 7}. Pertussis infection in infants may cause severe cough, choking, poor feeding, and apnea without paroxysmal cough ^{Footnote 3Footnote 7Footnote 10}. Serious complications associated with the pertussis are cyanosis, pneumonia, bradycardia, seizures, encephalopathy, refractory pulmonary hypertension, and even death ^{Footnote 2}. Complications vary depending upon the age group and occur mainly in infants ^{Footnote 2}.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: B. pertussis is of worldwide prevalence as it can exist as a noninvasive parasite of the respiratory tract of mammals, however, 20-40 million cases of pertussis, and 400,000 fatal cases, are reported each year ^{Footnote 9}. The last national peak of pertussis infection in Canada occurred in 1998 ^{Footnote 7}. Between the years 1998-2004, the incidence of pertussis as well as pertussis-related mortality declined significantly following introduction of the acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine) in 1998 ^{Footnote 7}. In the United States, the rates of pertussis infection moderately increased between the years 1980 and 2000, although larger rate increases were observed in adolescent and adult cases of pertussis ^{Footnote 2Footnote 9}. Infants below the age of 12 months have the highest incidence and mortality associated with pertussis. The incidence rates in this age group have remained stable since 2001 with a range of 71.3–91.6 cases per 100,000.

HOST RANGE: Disease occurs only in humans ^{Footnote 3}.

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Transmission of B. pertussis occurs primarily via direct contact or inhalation of airborne droplets ^{Footnote 2Footnote 11}. Symptoms develop following inhalation of the airborne pathogen.

INCUBATION PERIOD: Seven to 10 days, with a range of 4-21 days ^{Footnote 3}.

COMMUNICABILITY: It is highly contagious (infects 80-90% of susceptible persons) and is transmitted from human-to-human via contact with discharge from respiratory membranes or inhalation of infectious respiratory droplets ^{Footnote 3Footnote 11}. It is most contagious in the catarrhal and the paroxysmal stages ^{Footnote 2}.

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Humans are the sole reservoir ^{Footnote 3}. The main reservoir consists of adults and adolescents with atypical or undiagnosed infection, who may transmit the infection to infants and children ^{Footnote 8}.

ZOONOSIS: None ^{Footnote 3}.

VECTOR: None ^{Footnote 3}.

SECTION IV – STABILITY AND VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY/RESISTANCE: Susceptible to erythromycin, macrolides such as azithromycin and clarithromycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, floroquinoles such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and gemifloxacin ^{Footnote 3Footnote 12}.

DRUG RESISTANCE: Erythromycin resistant strains have been reported since 1994, but the resistance does not seem to be spreading ^{Footnote 3Footnote 12-Footnote 14}.

SUSCEPTIBILITY/RESISTANCE TO DISINFECTANTS: B. pertussis has been shown to be sensitive to glutaraldehyde ^{Footnote 15}. In addition most vegetative bacteria are susceptible to low concentrations of chlorine (<1ppm) ^{Footnote 16Footnote 17}, 70% ethanol, phenolics such as orthophenylphenol and ortho-benzyl-paua-chlorophenol, and peracetic acid (0.001% to 0.2%) ^{Footnote 17}.

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Information specific to B. pertussis is not available; however, most vegetative bacteria can be inactivated by moist heat (121°C for 15 min- 30 min) and dry heat (160-170°C for 1-2 hours) ^{Footnote 18}.

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Survives for 3-5 days on inanimate dry surfaces ^{Footnote 19}. B. pertussis can also survive 5 days on clothes, 2 days on paper and 6 days on glass ^{Footnote 20}.

SECTION V – FIRST AID / MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms. Diagnosis of B. pertussis can be done using cultures of clinical specimens such as nasopharygeal aspirates and posterior nasopharyngeal swabs ^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}, however, it should be noted that cultures are less sensitive after antimicrobial therapy has been started ^{Footnote 2}. Gram-staining or biochemical tests such as PCR, Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA), or ELISA can also confirm infection ^{Footnote 2Footnote 3}. PCR is a quicker and more sensitive method, but it is less specific than culture. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of both culture and PCR assay for diagnosing pertussis ^{Footnote 2}.

Note: All diagnostic methods are not necessarily available in all countries.

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Treatment for pertussis is generally supportive. Antibiotic treatment is most effective when given during the catarrhal stage, and can also reduce the risk of transmission when given at paroxysmal stage ^{Footnote 2}. A 14-day regimen with erythromycin is recommended for treating pertussis ^{Footnote 2Footnote 12}. Other antibiotics effective for treating pertussis include azithromycin and clarithromycin ^{Footnote 2}. These drugs have fewer side effects than erythromycin. For neonates, only azithromycin is recommended ^{Footnote 2}.

IMMUNIZATION: Vaccination for control of pertussis infection is given as a combined DTaP vaccine of diptheria, pertussis, and tetanus toxoid ^{Footnote 10}. It can be administered along with the vaccine for poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP-IPV-Hib) to infants at a very young age ^{Footnote 7}. A booster dose of DTaP–IPV vaccine can also be given between 4 and 6 years of age ^{Footnote 7Footnote 10}.

PROPHYLAXIS: Antibiotic prophylaxis with erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin is advocated by both The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and CDC to control pertussis outbreaks ^{Footnote 2}. In Canada, azithromycin, clarithromycin, or erythromycin prophylaxis is recommended for close household contacts of pertussis infected patients ^{Footnote 12}. Azithromycin was also effective against a hospital-wide outbreak of pertussis ^{Footnote 12}.

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: Eight cases of B. pertussis infection were reported from a research institution conducting pertussis research ^{Footnote 8}. The infections were found among individuals not directly working with the bacteria. They may have acquired the infection through the common laboratory spaces where the research was conducted ^{Footnote 8}. Two cases of B. pertussis laboratory acquired infection were also reported from a large Midwestern university ^{Footnote 8}. Another B. pertussis infection was reported in a worker who had aerated the liquid cultures of bacteria for the preparation of vaccine ^{Footnote 21}.

SOURCE/SPECIMENS: Nasopharyngeal swab, secretions, throat swabs ^{Footnote 3}. It is rarely isolated from blood ^{Footnote 3}.

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Exposure to infectious aerosols, generated during manipulation of pertussis cultures or working with concentrated suspensions of the bacteria, to mucous membranes ^{Footnote 8}.

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None.

SECTION VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk Group 2 ^{Footnote 22}.

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures ^{Footnote 23}.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Lab coat. Gloves when direct skin contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable. Eye protection must be used where there is a known or potential risk of exposure to splashes ^{Footnote 23}.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols, or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). The use of needles, syringes, and other sharp objects should be strictly limited. Additional precautions should be considered with work involving animals or large scale activities ^{Footnote 23}.

SECTION VIII – HANDLING AND STORAGE

SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle and, wearing protective clothing, gently cover spill with paper towels and apply an appropriate disinfectant, starting at the perimeter and working towards the centre. Allow sufficient contact time before clean up ^{Footnote 23}.

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes that contain or have come in contact with the infectious organism by autoclave, chemical disinfection, gamma irradiation, or incineration before disposing ^{Footnote 23}.

STORAGE: The infectious agent should be stored in leak-proof containers that are appropriately labelled ^{Footnote 23}.

SECTION IX – REGULATORY AND OTHER INFORMATION

REGULATORY INFORMATION: The import, transport, and use of pathogens in Canada is regulated under many regulatory bodies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and Transport Canada. Users are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with all relevant acts, regulations, guidelines, and standards.

UPDATED: October 2010

PREPARED BY: Pathogen Regulation Directorate, Public Health Agency of Canada

Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Pathogen Safety Data sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.

Copyright ©
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010
Canada