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Characteristics
Morphology
Gram-negative, capsulated obligatory anaerobic bacilli that are non-spore forming, pale-staining, and some are motile by peritrichous flagella, while other taxa are non-motile.
Disease

Abscesses within the cranium, thorax, intestines, peritoneum, liver, and female genital tract. Spread to bloodstream (bacteremia) is most common for B. fragilis.
Zoonosis
Yes, skin penetrating animal bites can lead to infection.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Humans, dogs, cats and other animals.
Modes of Transmission
Animal/human bites, burns, cuts, or penetration of foreign objects, including those involved in surgery.
Signs and Symptoms 
Widespread intra-abdominal abscesses may be associated with fever and abdominal pain.
Infectious Dose Unknown.
Incubation Period 
1-5 days.
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis Metronidazole, imipenem, and amoxicillin.
Vaccines None.
Treatment
Drainage of abscesses and debridement of necrotic tissue are the mainstays of treatment. Antimicrobial therapy is complicated by the fact that abdominal B. fragilis isolates almost always produce β-lactamase.
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
None reported
 Sources
Feces, wound exudates, tissues (intestinal tract, vagina, respiratory tract), and laboratory animal bites, cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol.
Supplemental References
BMBL:
 https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
Canada PSDS:
NIH Guidelines:
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 involving 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
Low concentration of chlorine, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 70 % ethanol, phenolics such as orthophenylphenol and ortho-benzyl-paua-chlorophenol, 2% aqueous glutaraldehyde, iodine, formaldehyde, and peracetic acid (0.001% to 0.2%)
Inactivation
Inactivated by moist heat (60 minutes at 121oC) and dry heat (1-2 hours at 160-170oC).
Survival Outside Host
Bacteroides have been detected in feces infected water by PCR for at least 2 weeks at 4°C; 4 to 5 days at 14°C; 1 to 2 days at 24°C; and 1 day at 30°C.
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.