Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Pseudomonas spp.

PATHOGEN SAFETY DATA SHEET - INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES

SECTION I - INFECTIOUS AGENT

NAME: Pseudomonas spp.

SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: P. aeruginosa, P. stutzeri, P. fluorescens

CHARACTERISTICS: The genus Pseudomonas, of the Pseudomonadaceae family, are motile gram-negative aerobic bacteria, 2 – 4 μm long plump-shaped rods, with polar flagella which have an important role in pathogenicity ^{Footnote 1-Footnote 3}. They are non-spore forming and can produce pigments, such as pyocyanine (green-blue) and pyorubrin (yellow-green) fluorescence ^{Footnote 1Footnote 4-Footnote 7}. P. aeruginosa can produce a large variety of extracellular toxins, including exotoxin A and enterotoxins ^{Footnote 8}. Other substances such as hydrocyanic acid, proteolytic enzymes, toxic surface slime, and haemolytic substances may also contribute to the pathogenicity of this species. Toxins combined with harmful substances are determinant factors in the high virulence of P. aeruginosa in a variety of different hosts ^{Footnote 9}.

SECTION II - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: As opportunistic pathogens, Pseudomonas spp. often invades the host tissue and cause infection and bacteremia in immunocompromised hosts (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, burns, malignancy, or diabetes mellitus)^{Footnote 10Footnote 11}. The common site of infection is the lower respiratory tract, and severity ranges from colonization without immunological response to severe necrotizing bronchopneumonia; such severe infection in patients with cystic fibrosis is almost impossible to eradicate once established in the airways^{Footnote 12}. Pseudomonal pneumonia often develops from oro-pharyngeal contamination or secondary bacteremia, and is also a common cause of nosocomial ventilator-related pneumonia in intensive care settings. Infections also include endocarditis, osteomyelitis, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, meningitis, and, commonly, septicaemia^{Footnote 13}. P. aeruginosa is the most common agent associated with infection and inflammation during contact lens wear. The bacteria colonize on lenses and produce proteases to kill or invade corneal cells, an infection that can lead to scarring and vision loss^{Footnote 1}. The species is also the most virulent with a mortality rate of 30%, which can be higher depending on predisposing conditions^{Footnote 4}. P. aeruginosa can also readily colonize on open burn wounds, causing infections, abscesses, and sepsis, with edema and/or discoloration of unburned skin at wound margins and green pigment in subcutaneous fat^{Footnote 14Footnote 15}. P. aeruginosa is also associated with swimmer's ear (otitis externa). Other Pseudomonas species are also opportunistic; however, cases of infection are rare^{Footnote 3}.

EPIDEMIOLOGY: Worldwide – often a problem in hospitals as it can be found on equipment, increasing the risk of nosocomial infections ^{Footnote 12}. 30 – 40% of those with cystic fibrosis will acquire chronic pseudomonal infection. P. aeruginosa infections account for 20% of pneumonia and 16% of urinary tract infections ^{Footnote 16}. Prevalence in the community is less than in the hospital, and cases of severe community-acquired infection are rare ^{Footnote 17}.

HOST RANGE: Humans, animals (wild, domestic, livestock), and plants (flora and fungi) ^{Footnote 18}.

INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown for humans. Studies with larvae models have found the infectious dose for the insects to be high ^{Footnote 19}.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION: P. aeruginosa have been found to survive within droplet nuclei and can remain in aerosols for long periods of time, thus there is evidence of potential airborne transmission ^{Footnote 20}. Contact with contaminated water is also a major route, but since the oral infectious dose is thought to be very high, routes that pose the greatest health risk are skin exposure (for example, in contaminated hot tub water) and lung exposure from inhaling aerosols discharged from infected respiratory tracts ^{Footnote 13}. The bacterial can often enter the body through injuries and wounds ^{Footnote 3}. The use of contaminated mechanical respiratory ventilators in hospital settings is also a common source of nosocomial infections ^{Footnote 12}.

INCUBATION PERIOD: Varies according to infection, eye infection can appear 24 – 72 hours after infection ^{Footnote 21}.

COMMUNICABILITY: Spread of infection from person-to-person is speculated to be highly possible during infection, especially amongst cystic fibrosis patients ^{Footnote 22}.

SECTION III - DISSEMINATION

RESERVOIR: Infected humans, animals, contaminated water, soil ^{Footnote 18}. Pseudomonas spp. are ubiquitous in the environment.

ZOONOSIS: None.

VECTORS: None.

SECTION IV - STABILITY AND VIABILITY

DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY: Pseudomonas spp. are resistant to many antibiotics. Susceptibility to extended-spectrum penicillins (such as ticarcillin, azlocillin, and piperacillin), aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, polymixins, and the monobactams ^{Footnote 12}.

DRUG RESISTANCE: Multi-drug resistant strains are emerging, such as against carbenicillin, cephalosporins, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin ^{Footnote 12}.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: Susceptibility has been shown for 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70% ethanol, 2% glutaraldehyde, and formaldehyde^{Footnote 23} ; however, it has been found to be resistant to disinfectants that are used to treat drinking water such as chlorine, chloramines, ozone, and iodine^{Footnote 13}. Certain adapted stains have been found to be able to grow in disinfectants; however, isopropyl alcohol 4% v/v or ethyl alcohol 6% v/v are effective disinfectants^{Footnote 24}.

PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Inactivation and sterilization using moist heat should be at 121°C for 15 minutes or longer, dry heat at 170-250 °C or higher for 30 minutes or more ^{Footnote 25}.

SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Pseudomonas can survive for months on dry surfaces and inanimate objects, and are one of the bacteria most frequently isolated from patients with nosocomial infections; humidity can improve persistence^{Footnote 26}. Growth observed in distilled water can survive up to months with minimal nutrients^{Footnote 27}.

SECTION V – FIRST AID / MEDICAL

SURVEILLANCE: Diagnosis is made by bacteriological culture on selective/non-selective culture media and laboratory identification ^{Footnote 28}.

FIRST AID/TREATMENT: Administer appropriate drug therapy. Aminoglycoside with β-lactam penicillin is usually the first line of treatment ^{Footnote 12}. Aggressive treatment can avoid development of chronic infection. Wounds should be cleaned with surgical detergent disinfectants and/or topical antibacterial ointments, such as mupirocin ^{Footnote 15}.

IMMUNIZATION: None currently available, although studies have shown that live-attenuated P. aeruginosa vaccines in mice can protect against corneal infections ^{Footnote 15}.

PROPHYLAXIS: Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone) can be used in patients with CF, but constant prophylactic therapy is not recommended as it can lead to drug resistance ^{Footnote 12}.

SECTION VI - LABORATORY HAZARDS

LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported to date.

SOURCES/SPECIMENS: Blood cultures, urine, skin, sputum, soft tissue samples, lower respiratory tract secretions, wound exudates, contaminated water samples, and mechanical ventilator equipment ^{Footnote 4Footnote 12, Footnote 14Footnote 27Footnote 28}

PRIMARY HAZARDS: Accidental parenteral inoculation, inhalation of infectious aerosols, accidental ingestion, or direct skin contact ^{Footnote 4Footnote 13Footnote 20}.

SPECIAL HAZARDS: None.

SECTION VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk Group 2. This risk group applies to the genus as a whole, and may not apply to every species within the genus.

CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures. These containment requirements apply to the genus as a whole, and may not apply to each species within the genus.

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 29}.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols, 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 29}.

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 29}.

DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes that contain or have come in contact with the infectious organism before disposing by autoclave, chemical disinfection, gamma irradiation, or incineration ^{Footnote 29}.

STORAGE: The infectious agent should be stored in leak-proof containers that are appropriately labelled ^{Footnote 29}.

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: December 2011

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, 2011
Canada