Drug-resistant bacteria pose a great threat to the public but also to the researchers who are working on them. Do you have any experience dealing with those super-bugs when working on them? How do you protect yourself?
Hi Daniel,
You definitely need the right and standard facilities to begin with. Besides, the correct Laboratory classification, personal protective equipment (eye google, Lab coat, gloves etc.) and of course appropriate Bio safety chamber/cabinet. But, most importantly the tragic recent lessons of Ebola has reminded us of the need for us to exercise extreme caution in order not to breach any of these standard protocol. Our overall attitude is very key in ensuring our protection.
You have to follow standard microbiological practices, if you will follow those, you will protect yourself and also community at large.
Do you have any ideas about using the non-virulence strains instead?
Hi Daniel,
It is generally less risky using non-virulent strains of any organisms, but if the nature of your research specified virulent strains you will have no choice. I am sure you should be alright when you implement all the standard practices suggested. If you are unsure, you should seek assistance from a senior colleague in your lab.
Just the good old good lab practices and a good dose of common sense. Anytime you enter in a microbiology lab you should obbey to the same principles, either it is a normal E. coli or a multi-drug resistant bug
I tally with first response, especially given that I am not familiar with your background. In any case, you must revise and stick to the GLPs to the dot. Just in case, you may want to consider taking a refresher GLP course. Alternatively may want to visit a typical Microbiology Lab.
You don´t. It is only possible to reduce their spread, through strict higyene procedures, and to try and avoyd creating new ones, trough judicious use of antibioticas.
Sorry, the golden ages of the antibiotics are done.
The weapons we have now ar the old soap & water, 70% alcohol, bleach, and gowns & gloves.
Not only you should protect yourselves through the suggestions provided by other posters here, but also you should clearly label the area (such as a post) and alert your co-workers, colleagues, janitors and visitors about the working area and the nature of the stuff you are working on. So, they can protect themselves too. This will also help to prevent the spread of this pathogen.
I work with virulent, clinically derived multi-drug resistant isolates every day. That being said: please do not confuse GLP (a data quality regulatory system) with appropriate standards for laboratory safety! The GLP will NOT give you adequate direction on how to work with such material!
In most countries, handling of such material is strictly regulated by work safety laws and regulations, which usually are very detailed. In addition to that, your educational institution will have protocols, courses and specific biosafety regulations. I can only advise you to seek out these documents and read them thoroughly. Furthermore, the WHO has published a seminal guide on laboratory biosafety, which I highly recommend.
The Biosafety rules for your university (I only looked at them quickly, but they seem thorough), the CDC Biosafety In Medical Laboratories manual and the WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual are attached to this post.
As a short summary: Yes, it is possible to work safely with most multi-resistant isolates in normal laboratories, as long as the correct precautions are taken. No, usually biosafety cabinets are not required, unless the pathogen is airborne or biosafety class 3** or above (BSL 3**). Yes, almost all multi-resistant bacteria such as MRSA, ESBL Gram-negatives etc are actually only BSL-2. Yes, the risk class of different pathogens varies by country, so you will have to know what applies in your specific location!
So, the main requirements are: Adequate knowledge and training, knowing the risk classification of the investigated pathogen, having the correct permits, using good personal protection such as hand sanitizer and the correct type of protective garments (gloves certified for microbiological work according to EN 374, protective gowns and not normal lab coats), using adequate waste disposal (autoclaving and/or incineration). If this is followed, you and the community will be safe.
http://www.usm.edu/research/ehs-bio-safety
http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/biosafety/WHO_CDS_CSR_LYO_2004_11/en/
http://www.cdc.gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl5/
Christer, thank you very much. You information is very practical and useful.
There are many regulations for handling MDR Bacteria. ISO, WHO..
But i like WHO most.
Because WHO contain everytype of safety data like layout of lab, division of lab into biosafety levels 1,2,3 etc.
Then handling with personal protective equipments.
In upper comments you can download these safety tips
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