What should be the level of the sophistication of the lab and equipment?
Hello sir,
I think it is just "Don't let it infect us and contaminate other experimental methods." So, ALL universal laboratory precautions must be practised properly and culture experiments must be done in a Laminar airflow with hand gloves and apron.
Regards
Hi Augusto,
MRSA is not a level 3 or 4 pathogen. One can use standard universal precautions, as with any research or diagnostic laboratory work. IF, however, you have someone who is immunocompromised or exhibits skin problems such as eczema, then I would use extra caution. By extra caution, I would make certain all exposed wounds or skin conditions were covered completely with bandages and appropriate laboratory clothing (scrubs, lab coat, gloves, etc.). I attached a document I helped author which is also available on my ResearchGate Bio.
I agree MRSA is not a level 3 or 4 pathogen. However, the precautions used for MRSA in the hospital setting is Contact Precautions.
For laboratory workers the risk group classification of MRSA is level 2 and the following steps should be followed (cited from the Canadian Public Health Agency):
CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures.
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.
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.
Dear Augusto,
If your research facility has a biosafety committee, I would strongly suggest that you contact them to see the specific requirements they may have. All of the above responses are suitable, but I really think that Antonio's offers the most detail. Not much more for me to add except I would certainly use a hood with all PPE.
I disagree with the laminar flow hood. Presumably, you won't be making the culture airborne; however, laminar flow blows directly into your face. Better a biohazard containment hood, or simply on a benchtop using universal precautions. Preferably the first.
I agree with the biohazard containment hood, but not with benchtop using universal precautions. I worked with a recombinant staph epidermidis a number of years ago using only the benchtop, and unfortunately it contaminated the controls. I think it happened while flaming the loop during culture transfers. After that, I always used PPE (mask, gloves, goggles, gown) performing transfers in the hood without a problem.
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