Laboratory Associated

Infections
Tania Chintya
IKD Biomedik
 BIO HAZARDS
Pathogen or human/animal cell
being used in research
Hazards related to bio
research can be classified:
The procedures and practice
followed in the lab
 Lab-acquired infection
Bacteria
Various specimens
Rickettsial agents
Human blood
Viral agents
Unfixed tissue
Fungal agents
Human cell lines
Parasitic agents

Lab personnel
community
 Bacteria: Fungal agents:
Brucella spp Blastomyces dermatitidis
Burkholderia (pseudomonas) pseudomallei Coccidioides immitis
Chlamydia spp Dermatophytes
Francisella tularensis Histoplasma capsulatum
Leptospira spp Sporothrix schenckii
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Treponema pallidum

Rickettsial agent:
Coxiella burnetii

Viral agents:
Herpesvirus Parasitic agents:
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus Toxoplasma gondii
Parvovirus B19 Plasmodium spp
Vesicular stomatitis virus Leishmania spp
Arboviruses, arenaviruses, eloviruses Trypanosoma spp
Hantaviruses
Routes of exposure associated with laboratory work
Aerosols generated during research activities remain
undetected and can spread easily and remain suspended in the
laboratory atmosphere for a long time.

They possess a serious hazard to

the person performing the task
and also to others who are
exposed to the air from the
laboratory.
Laboratory activities that generate aerosols
Biosafety
Biosafety is the prevention of large-scale loss of biological intergrity, focusing
both on ecology and human health.

It is a system for the safe handing of toxic and dangerous biological and
chemical substances

In medicine
It refers to the level of lab containment protocols, measured as bio safety level
(BSL) in rising order of danger
Biosafety Principles and Practices
Components of Safety in All labs
 Safe handing, storage and disposal of:
specimens
chemicals
instruments
radio active components
 Fire safety
 Electrical safety
 Fundamental objective biosafety program the containment of potentially
harmful biological agents.

Containment safe methods, facilities and equipment for managing infectious

material in the laboratory environment where they are being handled or
maintained.

The purpose of containment reduce or eliminate exposure of laboratory

workers, other persons, and the outside environment to potentially
hazardous agents.

The use of vaccines may provide an increased level of personal protection.

 Universal safety precautions:

1. Consider all the specimens potentially infectious for HIV and other blood borne
infections
2. All specimens should be placed in a leak-proof impervious container for
transport
3. Use gloves while handling all samples, especially when there is contact with body
fluids, non-intact skin or mucous membrane
4. If there is likelihood of spattering, use face mask with glasses and gowns. Wrap
around gowns should be preferred. These should not be used outside the lab
5. Cover cuts or abrasions present over skin with waterproof bandage
6. Decontaminate the laboratory work surfaces immediately in case of spillage of
blood or any other body fluids
7. Follow no needle recapping strategy
8. All sharps should be collected and disposed away property
9. Never pipette by mouth. Use mechanical pipetting devices
10.There should always be a system working efficiently for management of hospital
generated waste
11.It is advisable for the laboratory personnel to be vaccinated against hepatitis B
12.Facilities should be available easily for post exposure prophylaxis in case of
exposure to HIV & HBV
 Standard laboratory practices:

 Controlled acces to the laboratory

 Eating
 Frequent hand wash
 Drinking
 Mechanical pipetting
 Smoking
 Appropriate waste management &
 Handing contact lenses
sterilization and disinfection
 Storing food
measures
 Mouth pipetting
 Training to the workers
 Barriers
Primary barriers
Physical barriers or personal protective equipments for lab worker

Gloves, masks, goggles, aprons, suits, special breathing apparatuses

Secondary barriers
Structural aspects of the laboratory that make working environment safer against infection

Sinks for hand washing

Special containment areas
Special air ventilation patterns
Sterilization equipments

Immunization for staff