Safety and Health at Work  2015;6(4):353-356

doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2015.07.009

A Case-Study of Implementation of Improved Strategies for Prevention of Laboratory-acquired Brucellosis.

Louisa J CASTRODALE 1 ; Gregory A RACZNIAK ; Karen M RUDOLPH ; Lori CHIKOYAK ; Russell S COX ; Tricia L FRANKLIN ; Rita M TRAXLER ; Marta GUERRA

Affiliations

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Keywords

Alaska; brucellosis; laboratory-acquired infections; laboratory-associated brucellosis; laboratory biosafety

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In 2012, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology investigated personnel potentially exposed to a Brucella suis isolate as it transited through three laboratories. METHODS: We summarize the first implementation of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2013 revised recommendations for monitoring such exposures: (1) risk classification; (2) antimicrobial postexposure prophylaxis; (3) serologic monitoring; and (4) symptom surveillance. RESULTS: Over 30 people were assessed for exposure and subsequently monitored for development of illness. No cases of laboratory-associated brucellosis occurred. Changes were made to gaps in laboratory biosafety practices that had been identified in the investigation. CONCLUSION: Achieving full compliance for the precise schedule of serologic monitoring was challenging and resource intensive for the laboratory performing testing. More refined exposure assessments could inform decision making for follow-up to maximize likelihood of detecting persons at risk while not overtaxing resources.