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Characteristics
Morphology
Fungus belonging to the Trichocomaceae family. Colonies grow rapidly, producing white, green, yellow, or black colonies.
Disease
Aspergillosis, Farmer’s Lung. A. fumigatus causes most infections, and A. niger and A. flavus are second.
Zoonosis
None.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Humans, cows, dolphins, birds, and horses.
Modes of Transmission
Inhalation, through contaminated water, and nosocomial infections (hospital fabrics and plastics).
Signs and Symptoms
Fever, facial pain, headache, asymmetric facial swelling, epistaxis, proptosis, cranial nerve abnormalities.
Infectious Dose
Unknown.
Incubation Period
2 days to 3 months.
 
Medical Precautions / Treatment
Prophylaxis
None.
Vaccines
None.
Treatment
Voriconazole, amphotericin B, posaconazole and echinocandins. Is resistant to itraconazole and some isolates have been reported to be resistant to voriconazole, posaconazole and echinocandins.
Surveillance
Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements
Report any exposure.
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
None reported.
Sources
Sputum, biopsy material, transtracheal aspirates, blood, and soil. Inhalation of air contaminated with Aspergillus spores. Cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol.
Supplemental References
BMBL
https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
Canada PSDS
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/laboratory-biosafety-biosecurity/pathogen-safety-data-sheets-risk-assessment/aspergillus.html
NIH Guidelines
https://osp.od.nih.gov/wp-content/uploads/NIH_Guidelines.pdf
Risk Group & Containment Requirements
Risk Group 2

Agents that are associated with human disease which is rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available.
BSL2
For all procedures involving suspected or known infectious specimen or cultures.
ABSL2
For all procedures utilizing infected animals.
Spill Procedures
Small
Notify others working in the lab. Remove PPE and don new PPE. Cover area of the spill with absorbent material and add fresh 1:10 bleach:water. Allow 20 munutes (or as directed) of contact time. After 20 minutes, cleanup and dispose of materials.
Large
  • Immediately notify all personnel in the lab and clear all personnel from the area. Remove any contaminated PPE/clothing and leave the lab. 
  • Secure the area by locking doors, posting signage and guarding the area to keep people out of the space. 
For assistance, contact MSU's Biosafety Officer (406-994-6733) or Safety and Risk Management (406-994-2711).
Exposure Procedures
Mucous membrane
Flush eyes, mouth, or nose for 5 minutes at eyewash station.
Other Exposures
Wash area with soap and water for 5 minutes.
Reporting
Immediately report incident to supervisor, complete a First Report of Injury form, and submit to Safety and Risk Management.
Medical Follow-up
During business hours: Bridger Occupational Health 3406 Laramie Drive. Weekdays 8am -6pm.  Weekends 9am-5pm
After business hours: Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Emergency Room 915 Highland Blvd Bozeman, MT
Viability
Disinfection
Susceptible to 1:10 bleach:water, 70 % ethanol, accelerated hydrogen peroxide.
Inactivation

Inactivated by heat (greater than 45 minutes at 60°C), except for A. fumigatus.

Microwave irradiation at 800 watts for 90 seconds to 2 minutes is also effective in inactivating conidia A. fumigatus and A. flavus.
Survival Outside Host
Can survive in soil and decomposing vegetation.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Minimum PPE Requirements
Lab coat, disposable gloves, safety glasses, closed toed shoes, long pants
Additional Precautions
 Additioanl PPE may be required depending on lab specific SOPs and IBC Protocol.