Laboratory Exposures to Brucellae and Implications for Bioterrorism

Abstract

Laboratory exposures to brucellae indicate unfamiliarity with organism.

Outbreak of laboratory-acquired Brucella abortus in Brazil: a case report

“…Transmission most likely occurred from an aerosol-generating event, as is commonly reported. However, contrary to most published accounts 3,4 , transmission was related to an accident, and no correlation with unsafe routine procedures could be established. No other reports of Brucella transmission associated with ventilation system failures were found.…”

“…Laboratory accidents, such as the breakage of centrifuge tubes or blood-culture vials, are not frequent and represent only 11% of cases 4 . In most of the reported cases, exposure resulted from unsafe laboratory practices, such as working on an open bench with viable organisms; sniffi ng plates; not using protective equipment, such as gloves, masks and goggles; or ingesting suspensions of living Brucellae during mouth pipetting 3 . The concentration of Brucella organisms in the blood and synovial fl uid of patients with brucellosis is usually low.…”

“…Therefore, clinical specimens most likely pose a low risk of contagion for laboratory personnel. However, the danger of clinically relevant exposure increases signifi cantly after incubation of seeded media 3 . Bacteriological procedures that generate aerosols, procedures with live bacteria, being male, handling of seeded media outside biological safety cabinets and poor compliance with hand hygiene and with the wearing of personal protection equipment have previously been identifi ed as independent risk factors for laboratory-acquired brucellosis 9,10 .…”

“…in contexts in which animal infection occurs 1,2 , and numerous cases of brucellosis acquired in clinical or research laboratories have been reported 3,4 . However, no published accounts of laboratory-acquired brucellosis in Brazil were found in PubMed/Medline and Scielo searches up to the date of submission.…”

“…Transmission of the bacteria to human beings occurs through cuts on the skin and direct contact with tissues from contaminated animals 2 . The second category of occupational brucellosis includes those infections acquired in clinical and research laboratories, with microbiologists and laboratory staff members in the corresponding risk group 1,3,6 . Laboratory-acquired infections represent 2% of all brucellosis cases worldwide 3 .…”