Biosafety

[Tomohiro Kawaguchi]

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Hi! All,

We have one user who wants to set up the flow cell to image live
pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm using our confocal microscope (multi-user
confocal microscope open for our university community).

This user said that p.aeruginosa is not so dangerous as long as we are
careful and clean them up after its use.  I want to get a biosafety
officer involved before we do anything.

If you can share your experience on biosafety regarding live pathogen in
your confocal room, I really appreciate it.

Many thanks!

Tomo Kawaguchi


 

[Jacqueline Ross]

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Hi Tomo,

Our university biological safety officer requires that all pathogenic
specimens be contained. Therefore, we always have these types of
specimens under a sealed coverslip, i.e. no direct contact with the
objective lens, etc. Obviously, this isn't perfect but it does minimise
the risks. We do have a few people imaging biofilms in this way.

I should mention that at the moment, all our confocal systems are on
upright stands.

Kind regards,

Jacqui


Jacqueline Ross

Biomedical Imaging Microscopist
Biomedical Imaging Research Unit
School of Medical Sciences
Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND

Tel: [phone] Ext 87438
Fax: [phone]

http://www.health.auckland.ac.nz/biru/ 


-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On
Behalf Of Tomohiro Kawaguchi
Sent: Monday, 18 February 2008 3:52 p.m.
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Biosafety

Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

Hi! All,

We have one user who wants to set up the flow cell to image live
pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm using our confocal microscope (multi-user
confocal microscope open for our university community).

This user said that p.aeruginosa is not so dangerous as long as we are
careful and clean them up after its use.  I want to get a biosafety
officer involved before we do anything.

If you can share your experience on biosafety regarding live pathogen in
your confocal room, I really appreciate it.

Many thanks!

Tomo Kawaguchi


 

[Vickery Trinkaus-Randall]

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http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

I had a similar q and actually asked the biosafety officer after being
reassured it was ok - in my situation it was not

Tomohiro Kawaguchi wrote:

>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Hi! All,
>
>We have one user who wants to set up the flow cell to image live
>pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm using our confocal microscope (multi-user
>confocal microscope open for our university community).
>
>This user said that p.aeruginosa is not so dangerous as long as we are
>careful and clean them up after its use.  I want to get a biosafety
>officer involved before we do anything.
>
>If you can share your experience on biosafety regarding live pathogen in
>your confocal room, I really appreciate it.
>
>Many thanks!
>
>Tomo Kawaguchi
>
>
>
>
>
>  
>

[rjpalmer]

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http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

Tomo - strains of P aeruginosa have been the classical biofilm
organisms for roughly 20 years and have been used without incident
under the most simple standard microbiological procedures.  No
serious handling procedures are required.  However, in many countries
these bacteria are restricted because they are opportunistic
pathogens that can result in everything from skin infections to
cystic fibrosis infections.  They are not inherently hazardous except
to those with highly weakened immune systems or to those who spray
them all over cuts and mucous membranes; I feel your user's opinion
is basically correct.  I would caution that a possibility of cross
contamination with other bacterial cultures or eukaryotic tissue
cultures exists, but I would bet that no culturing takes place in the
immediate area around your microscope.  You may however find that
your institution applies restrictions because the bacteria are
labeled as pathogens.  We work with common oral bacteria such as
streptococci and actinomyces, some of which are also labeled as
pathogens in the US.  Where do these bacteria come from?  Every time
you cough or sneeze or kiss, you can find them.  In my opinion, the
entire concept of restrictions for such bacteria is nonsense - Pa
falls into that category for me.

>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Hi! All,
>
>We have one user who wants to set up the flow cell to image live
>pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm using our confocal microscope (multi-user
>confocal microscope open for our university community).
>
>This user said that p.aeruginosa is not so dangerous as long as we are
>careful and clean them up after its use.  I want to get a biosafety
>officer involved before we do anything.
>
>If you can share your experience on biosafety regarding live pathogen in
>your confocal room, I really appreciate it.
>
>Many thanks!
>
>Tomo Kawaguchi
>
>
>

--
Robert J. Palmer Jr., Ph.D.
Natl Inst Dental Craniofacial Res - Natl Insts Health
Oral Infection and Immunity Branch
Bldg 30, Room 310
30 Convent Drive
Bethesda MD 20892
ph 301-594-0025
fax [phone]