The waste produced in the course of health-care activities, from contaminated needles to radioactive isotopes, carries a greater potential for causing infection and injury than any other type of waste, and inadequate or inappropriate management is likely to have serious public health consequences and deleterious effects on the environment. This handbook – the result of extensive international consultation and collaboration – provides comprehensive guidance on safe, efficient, and environmentally sound methods for the handling and disposal of health-care wastes in normal situations and emergencies. Future issues such as climate change and the changing patterns of diseases and their impacts on health-care waste management are also discussed. For health-care settings in which resources are severely limited, the handbook pays particular attention to basic processes and technologies that are not only safe, but also affordable, sustainable, and culturally appropriate. The guide is aimed at public health managers and policy-makers, hospital managers, environmental health professionals, and all administrators with an interest in and responsibility for waste management. Its scope is such that it will find application in developing and developed countries alike.

REFERENCE:

Safe management of wastes from health-care activities

Edited by Yves Chartier, Jorge Emmanuel, Ute Pieper,Annette Prüss,
Philip Rushbrook, Ruth Stringer, William Townend,
Susan Wilburn and Raki Zghondi.
© 2014, WHO
ISBN 978 92 4 154856 4

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Sobre el Simposio de Bioseguridad 2017

Con gran entusiasmo se llevó a cabo el 9º Simposio de Bioseguridad organizado por AMEXBIO en la ciudad de Morelia Michoacán el pasado 7 al 10 de Junio 2017, con el tema "CONTENCIÓN HOSPITALARIA". Los cursos presimposio impartidos, como todos los años, incluyeron temas de gran relevancia para el trabajo diario en el manejo de patógenos, incluyendo: uso de equipo de protección personal, manejo de residuos RPBI, diseño de laboratorios, entre otros.
Durante el simposio de tocaron temas como la resistencia microbiana a los antibióticos, el control de infecciones hospitalarias, la gestión de riesgos, la salud ocupacional, la biología sintética, descontaminación entre otros. Entre las diversas noticias que se tuvieron este año, es que el próximo año el simposio se llevará a cabo en Puerto Vallarta, para conmemorar y festejar el 10º Simposio de la AMEXBIO. Resúmenes periodísticos del simposio se vieron publicados en: Arizona State University, Quadratín Michoacán, Provincia El Diario Grande de Michoacán, entre otros.
La Asociación como siempre agradece el patrocinio de MERRICK México, Camfil, Procequip, DUO, Métrix, Éviter, Microbios y Lab-Tech, ya que sin su apoyo, el simposio de 2017 no se llevaría a cabo.

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El propósito del presente documento es proporcionar a los instructores material para el adiestramiento de los agentes de salud comunitarios (ASC) y otro personal sanitario en la atención segura de los pacientes de ERA tanto en el hogar como en dispensarios de la comunidad. En él se presenta información acerca de ciertos tipos de ERA, como el SRAS y la gripe aviar, afecciones consideradas de potencial impacto internacional por suponer un riesgo para la salud pública mundial, pero también incluye información que se aplica a todas las ERA. La guía incluye instrucciones sobre el uso de equipo de protección personal (EPP) (por ejemplo, mascarillas y guantes), controles ambientales (limpieza y desinfección, eliminación de desechos) y otras estrategias (lavado de manos, cómo proceder en caso de tos, distancia de los pacientes) con el fin de reducir el riesgo de exposición. El contenido del presente documento recoge las orientaciones presentadas en Prevención y control de infección en enfermedades respiratorias agudas con tendencia epidémica y pandémica durante la atención sanitaria - Pautas provisionales de la OMS.

REFERENCE:

Medidas de control de infecciones en la atención sanitaria de pacientes con enfermedades respiratorias agudas en entornos comunitarios

Publication details
Publication date: 2009
Languages:

1. Download document (English)
2. Chinese
3. French
4. Spanish

WHO reference number: WHO/HSE/GAR/BDP/2009.1
DESCARGAR:   GUÍA PARA EL ALUMNO
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Laboratory Biorisk Management Strategic Framework for Action

Although laboratory biosecurity is a relatively new concept to many, biosafety has been an established discipline for several decades. These fields have recently been elevated in prominence for a number of reasons, including laboratory acquired infections associated with SARS, the anthrax attacks in the US postal service, and renewed interest in the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), together with emerging issues relating to the rapid growth of biotechnology and concerns over the potential for illicit use of such technologies.
However, despite significant investments in this field during the last decade, and progress made in strengthening biorisk management, many countries remain without effective regulatory and oversight mechanisms, and levels of awareness are often low amongst regulators and laboratory personnel alike. In addition, basic information relating to laboratory design and operating parameters is often confusing, with a lack of evidence to underpin many commonly used controls.
Developing countries in particular often struggle to implement solutions which have been designed for use in other parts of the world where different working conditions prevail. Adequate support services are also needed to operate laboratories. However, effective supplier networks, maintenance provision and other basic measures are often unavailable to those most in need.
At present there is no overarching framework or global strategy in this area to provide strategic direction to ensure that investments are planned and implemented appropriately to meet these needs. Without such strategic planning, biorisk management runs the danger of failing to meet the objective of delivering solutions that allow countries to build stand-alone capacity and capability.
This plan sets out a basis and rationale for WHO’s role in supporting the measures and mechanisms required to move towards the objective of supporting safe and secure environments in and around every laboratory in the world.

REFERENCE:
Laboratory Biorisk Management Strategic Framework for Action 2012–2016
Publication details
Number of pages: 16
Publication date: 2012
Languages: English
WHO reference number: WHO/HSE/2012.3

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Prevalence and characterization of murine leukemia virus contamination in human cell lines

Contaminations of cell cultures with microbiological organisms are well documented and can be managed in cell culture laboratories applying reliable detection, elimination and prevention strategies. However, the presence of viral contaminations in cell cultures is still a matter of debate and cannot be determined with general detection methods. In the present study we screened 577 human cell lines for the presence of murine leukemia viruses (MLV). Nineteen cell lines were found to be contaminated with MLV, including 22RV1 which is contaminated with the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus variant of MLV. Of these, 17 cell lines were shown to produce active retroviruses determined by product enhanced reverse transcriptase PCR assay for reverse transcriptase activity. The contaminated cell lines derive from various solid tumor types as well as from leukemia and lymphoma types. A contamination of primary human cells from healthy volunteers could not be substantiated. Sequence analyses of 17 MLV PCR products and five complete MLV genomes of different infected cell lines revealed at least three groups of related MLV genotypes. The viruses harvested from the supernatants of infected cell cultures were infectious to uninfected cell cultures. In the course of the study we found that contamination of human genomic DNA preparations with murine DNA can lead to false-positive results. Presumably, xenotransplantations of the human tumor cells into immune-deficient mice to determine the tumorigenicity of the cells are mainly responsible for the MLV contaminations. Furthermore, the use of murine feeder layer cells during the establishment of human cell lines and a cross-contamination with MLV from infected cultures might be sources of infection. A screening of cell cultures for MLV contamination is recommended given a contamination rate of 3.3%.

REFERENCE
Uphoff CC, Lange S, Denkmann SA, Garritsen HS, Drexler HG. Prevalence and characterization of murine leukemia virus contamination in human cell lines. PLoS One. 2015 Apr 30;10(4):e0125622. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125622. eCollection 2015. PubMed PMID: 25927683; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4416031.
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LIBRO: Prevención de las infecciones nosocomiales, 2a edicíon, Guía práctica

Prevencíon de las infecciones nosocomiales, 2a edicíon, Guía práctica		Prevention of hospital-acquired infections, 2nd edition. A practical guide
Índice		Contents
Introducción		Introduction
Capítulo I. Epidemiología de las infecciones nosocomiales		Chapter I. Epidemiology of nosocomial infections
Capítulo II. Programas de control de infecciones		Chapter II. Infection control programmes
Capítulo III. Vigilancia de las infecciones nosocomiales		Chapter III. Nosocomial infection surveillance
Capítulo IV. Forma de abordar los brotes		Chapter IV. dealing with outbreaks
Capítulo V. Prevención de las infecciones nosocomiales		Chapter V. Prevention of nosocomial infections
Capítulo VI. Prevención de las infecciones nosocomiales endémicas comunes		Chapter VI. Prevention of common endemic nosocomial infections
Capítulo VII. Precauciones para el control de infecciones durante la atencíon del paciente		Chapter VII. Infection control precautiopns in patient care
Capítulo VIII. Medio ambiente		Chapter VIII. Environment
Capítulo IX. Uso de antimicrobianos y farmacorresistencia		Chapter IX. Antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance
Capítulo X. Prevención de infecciones del personal		Chapter X. Preventing infections of staff
Anexo 1. Lecturas recomendadas		Annex 1. Suggested further reading
Anexo 2. Recursos disponibles en Internet		Annex 2. Internet resources
DESCARGAR ESPAÑOL		DOWNLOAD ENGLISH

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Xenotropic retrovirus Bxv1 in human pancreatic β cell lines

It has been reported that endogenous retroviruses can contaminate human cell lines that have been passaged as xenotransplants in immunocompromised mice. We previously developed and described 2 human pancreatic β cell lines (EndoC-βH1 and EndoC-βH2) that were generated in this way. Here, we have shown that B10 xenotropic virus 1 (Bxv1), a xenotropic endogenous murine leukemia virus (MuLV), is present in these 2 recently described cell lines. We determined that Bxv1 was also present in SCID mice that were used for in vivo propagation of EndoC-βH1/2 cells, suggesting that contamination occurred during xenotransplantation. EndoC-βH1/2 cells released Bxv1 particles that propagated to human 293T and Mus dunni cells. Mobilization assays demonstrated that Bxv1 transcomplements defective MuLV-based retrovectors. In contrast, common rodent β cell lines, rat INS-1E and RIN-5F cells and mouse MIN6 and βTC3 cells, displayed either no or extremely weak xenotropic helper activity toward MuLV-based retrovectors, although xenotropic retrovirus sequences and transcripts were detected in both mouse cell lines. Bxv1 propagation from EndoC-βH1/2 to 293T cells occurred only under optimized conditions and was overall poorly efficient. Thus, although our data imply that MuLV-based retrovectors should be cautiously used in EndoC-βH1/2 cells, our results indicate that an involuntary propagation of Bxv1 from these cells can be easily avoided with good laboratory practices.

REFERENCE:

Kirkegaard JS, et al. Xenotropic retrovirus Bxv1 in human pancreatic β cell lines. J Clin Invest. 2016 Mar 1;126(3):1109-13.

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Use and misuse of material transfer agreements: lessons in proportionality from research, repositories, and litigation

Material transfer agreements exist to facilitate the exchange of materials and associated data between researchers as well as to protect the interests of the researchers and their institutions. But this dual mandate can be a source of frustration for researchers, creating administrative burdens and slowing down collaborations. We argue here that in most cases in pre-competitive research, a simple agreement would suffice; the more complex agreements and mechanisms for their negotiation should be reserved for cases where the risks posed to the institution and the potential commercial value of the research reagents is high.

REFERENCE:
Bubela T, Guebert J, Mishra A. Use and misuse of material transfer agreements: lessons in proportionality from research, repositories, and litigation. PLoS Biol. 2015 Feb 3;13(2):e1002060.

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Virus contaminations of cell cultures – A biotechnological view

In contrast to contamination by microbes and mycoplasma, which can be relatively easily detected, viral contamination present a serious threat because of the difficulty in detecting some viruses and the lack of effective methods of treating infected cell cultures. While some viruses are capable of causing morphological changes to infected cells (e.g. cytopathic effect)which are detectable by microscopy some viral contaminations result in the integration of the viral genome as provirus, this causes no visual evidence, by means of modification of the cellular morphology. Virus production from such cell lines, are potentially dangerous for other cell cultures (in research labs)by cross contaminations, or for operators and patients (in the case of the production of injectable biologicals) because of potential infection. The only way to keep cell cultures for research, development, and the biotech industry virus-free is the prevention of such contaminations. Cell cultures can become contaminated by the following means: firstly, they may already be contaminated as primary cultures (because the source of the cells was already infected), secondly, they were contaminated due to the use of contaminated raw materials, or thirdly, they were contaminated via an animal passage. This overview describes the problems and risks associated with viral contaminations in animal cell culture, describes the origins of these contaminations as well as the most important virsuses associated with viral contaminations in cell culture. In addition, ways to prevent viral contaminations as well as measures undertaken to avoid and assess risks for viral contaminations as performed in the biotech industry are briefly described.
REFERENCE:
Merten, O.-W. “Virus Contaminations of Cell Cultures – A Biotechnological View.” Cytotechnology 39.2 (2002): 91–116. PMC. Web. 3 Apr. 2017.

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Material Transfer Agreements: A University Perspective

Fragment:
Scientists have traditionally shared research materials freely, and indeed an important criterion for scientific publication has been the unfettered ability of other researchers to experimentally reproduce and thereby test published results. That ability to replicate results will often rely on access to the underlying biological materials or information, but that access is not assured today. So what has changed? Probably the most significant factor has been the narrowing of the gap between fundamental research and commercial developments, particularly in the biomedical arena, but it is also evident in agricultural biology (Rai and Eisenberg, 2001). Materials that at one time would have been useful almost exclusively for fundamental research purposes are increasingly seen as having direct commercial value, and this has generated a new breed of company that focuses on leveraging novel research tools to discover new commercially valuable traits, genes, or compounds. Naturally, these companies are reluctant to share their “crown jewels” without making sure that their business interests are protected. Also of significance has been the changing role of universities, which are today actively using the patent system as a means of transferring its research results into the private sector and often conduct research that is sponsored by private companies.

REFERENCE:
Streitz, Wendy D., and Alan B. Bennett. “Material Transfer Agreements: A University Perspective.” Plant Physiology 133.1 (2003): 10–13. PMC. Web. 30 Mar. 2017.
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Infección de felinos con influenza H5N1

Existen varios reportes de infecciones de felinos con influenza H5N1. Este virus fué capaz de infectar gatos domésticos, tigres, leopardos, y leones. En todos los casos los felinos se cree que se infectaron por el consumo de carne de aves crudas, y que estaban contaminadas con influenza, ingresando a través de la tráquea. En todos los casos, los felinos tuvieron problemas respiratorios, fiebre y murieron poco después. La confirmación de la infección se realizó mediante pruebas moleculares que identificaron la cepa de influenza con el que enfermaron. Los casos reportados de infección por influenza en gatos domésticos son mas comunes, pero los casos documentados de felinos en vida salvaje son raros.

REFERENCIAS:
Kuiken T, et al. Avian H5N1 influenza in cats. Science. 2004 Oct 8;306(5694):241.
Keawcharoen, Juthatip et al. “Avian Influenza H5N1 in Tigers and Leopards.” Emerging Infectious Diseases 10.12 (2004): 2189–2191.
Chen, Quanjiao et al. “First Documented Case of Avian Influenza (H5N1) Virus Infection in a Lion.” Emerging Microbes & Infections 5.12 (2016): e125–.
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9º Simposio Internacional de Bioseguridad y Biocustodia 2017

VER PDF  /  INFORMES:  https://amexbio.wildapricot.org/SIBB

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Convocatoria Trabajos Libres #SIBB17

Ya se encuentra abierta la convocatoria para el envío de resúmenes para el 9º Simposio de Bioseguridad y Biocustodia, que se llevará a cabo en el Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública de Michoacán (LESPM), de Junio 7 al 10, 2017 en la ciudad de Morelia, Michoacán. Para más detalles en relación al formato y forma de envío, revisar la siguiente página electrónica: https://amexbio.wildapricot.org/TrabajosLibres

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Responsible life sciences research for global health security

Advances in life sciences research are inextricably linked to improvements in human, plant and animal health. Promotion of excellent, high-quality life sciences research that is conducted responsibly, safely and securely can foster global health security and contribute to economic development, evidence-informed policy making, public trust and confidence in science. Yet opportunities may also be accompanied by risks that need to be acknowledged and addressed. The risks under consideration in this guidance are those associated with accidents, with research that may pose unexpected risks and with the potential deliberate misuse of life sciences research. The opportunities offered by the life sciences are too important for governments and the scientific community (including individual researchers, laboratory managers, research institutions, professional associations, etc.) to leave the attendant risks unaddressed.
The purpose of this guidance is to inform about the risks posed by accidents or the potential deliberate misuse of life sciences research and to propose measures to minimize these risks within the context of promoting and harnessing the power of the life sciences to improve health for all people. Although the issues addressed in this document can potentially interest a quite large audience, the proposed measures and the selfassessment questionnaire are of a public health nature. Health researchers, laboratory managers and research institutions are therefore the primary audience of this guidance.

REFERENCE:
Responsible life sciences researchfor global health security. A guidance document
Publication details
Publication date: 2010
Languages: English
WHO reference number: WHO/HSE/GAR/BDP/2010.2
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Synthetic biology approaches to biological containment: pre-emptively tackling potential risks

Routes to biological containment

Biocontainment comprises any strategy applied to ensure that harmful organisms are confined to controlled laboratory conditions and not allowed to escape into the environment. Genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs), regardless of the nature of the modification and how it was established, have potential human or ecological impact if accidentally leaked or voluntarily released into a natural setting. Although all evidence to date is that GEMs are unable to compete in the environment, the power of synthetic biology to rewrite life requires a pre-emptive strategy to tackle possible unknown risks. Physical containment barriers have proven effective but a number of strategies have been developed to further strengthen biocontainment. Research on complex genetic circuits, lethal genes, alternative nucleic acids, genome recoding and synthetic auxotrophies aim to design more effective routes towards biocontainment. Here, we describe recent advances in synthetic biology that contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop new and improved genetic, semantic, metabolic and mechanistic plans for the containment of GEMs.

REFERENCE:
Torres, Leticia et al. “Synthetic Biology Approaches to Biological Containment: Pre-Emptively Tackling Potential Risks.” Ed. Vitor B. Pinheiro. Essays in Biochemistry 60.4 (2016): 393–410. PMC. Web. 8 Feb. 2017.
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Does Zika virus infection affect mosquito response to repellents?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that people travelling to or living in areas with Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks or epidemics adopt prophylactic measures to reduce or eliminate mosquito bites, including the use of insect repellents. It is, however, unknown whether repellents are effective against ZIKV-infected mosquitoes, in part because of the ethical concerns related to exposing a human subject’s arm to infected mosquitoes in the standard arm-in-cage assay. We used a previously developed, human subject-free behavioural assay, which mimics a human subject to evaluate the top two recommended insect repellents. Our measurements showed that DEET provided significantly higher protection than picaridin provided against noninfected, host-seeking females of the southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, and the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. When tested at lower doses, we observed a significant reduction in DEET-elicited protection against ZIKV-infected yellow fever mosquitoes from old and recent laboratory colonies. The reduction in protection is more likely associated with aging than the virus infection and could be compensated by applying a 5x higher dose of DEET. A substantial protection against ZIKV-infected and old noninfected mosquitoes was achieved with 5% DEET, which corresponds approximately to a 30% dose in the conventional arm-in-cage assays.
REFERENCE:
Leal WS, et al. Does Zika virus infection affect mosquito response to repellents? Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 16;7:42826.

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Guía NOM-010-STPS-2014, Agentes químicos contaminantes del ambiente laboral

La Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social, en ejercicio de sus atribuciones de normalización, publicó en el Diario Oficial de la Federación de fecha 28 de abril de 2014, la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-010-STPS-2014, Agentes químicos contaminantes del ambiente laboral - Reconocimiento, evaluación y control, misma que tiene por objeto establecer los procesos y las medidas para la prevención de riesgos a la salud del personal ocupacionalmente expuesto a agentes químicos contaminantes del ambiente laboral.
Dicha Norma rige en todo el territorio nacional y aplica a todos los centros de trabajo donde existan agentes químicos contaminantes del ambiente laboral, es decir, sustancias o mezclas capaces de modificar las condiciones ambientales del centro de trabajo y que, por sus propiedades, concentración, nivel y tiempo de exposición o acción, pueden alterar la salud de los trabajadores.

REFERENCIAS:

1. Guía Informativa de la Norma Oficial MexicanaNOM-010-STPS-2014, Agentes químicoscontaminantes del ambiente laboral -Reconocimiento, evaluación y control
2. NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-010-STPS-2014, Agentes químicos contaminantes del ambiente laboral-Reconocimiento, evaluación y control.

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Control strategies against Campylobacter at the poultry production level

Campylobacteriosis is the most prevalent bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis affecting humans in the European Union, and ranks second in the United States only behind salmonellosis. In Europe, there are about nine million cases of campylobacteriosis every year, making the disease a major public health issue. Human cases are mainly caused by the zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. The main source of contamination is handling or consumption of poultry meat. Poultry constitutes the main reservoir of Campylobacter, substantial quantities of which are found in the intestines following rapid, intense colonization. Reducing Campylobacter levels in the poultry chain would decrease the incidence of human campylobacteriosis. As primary production is a crucial step in Campylobacter poultry contamination, controlling the infection at this level could impact the following links along the food chain (slaughter, retail and consumption). This review describes the control strategies implemented during the past few decades in primary poultry production, including the most recent studies. In fact, the implementation of biosecurity and hygiene measures is described, as well as the immune strategy with passive immunization and vaccination trials and the nutritional strategy with the administration of organic and fatty acids, essential oil and plant-derived compound, probiotics, bacteriocins and bacteriophages.

REFERENCIA:
Meunier M, et al. Control strategies against Campylobacter at the poultry production level: biosecurity measures, feed additives and vaccination. J Appl Microbiol. 2016 May;120(5):1139-73.
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Permeation of limonene through disposable nitrile gloves

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the permeation of the low-volatile solvent limonene through different disposable, unlined, unsupported, nitrile exam whole gloves (blue, purple, sterling, and lavender, from Kimberly-Clark).
METHODS: This study utilized a moving and static dextrous robot hand as part of a novel dynamic permeation system that allowed sampling at specific times. Quantitation of limonene in samples was based on capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the internal standard method (4-bromophenol).
RESULTS: The average post-permeation thicknesses (before reconditioning) for all gloves for both the moving and static hand were more than 10% of the pre-permeation ones (P ≤ 0.05), although this was not so on reconditioning. The standardized breakthrough times and steady-state permeation periods were similar for the blue, purple, and sterling gloves. Both methods had similar sensitivity. The lavender glove showed a higher permeation rate (0.490 ± 0.031 μg/cm2/min) for the moving robotic hand compared to the non-moving hand (P ≤ 0.05), this being ascribed to a thickness threshold.
CONCLUSIONS: Permeation parameters for the static and dynamic robot hand models indicate that both methods have similar sensitivity in detecting the analyte during permeation and the blue, purple, and sterling gloves behave similarly during the permeation process whether moving or non-moving.

REFERENCE:
Banaee S, Que Hee SS. PERMEATION OF LIMONENE THROUGH DISPOSABLE NITRILE GLOVES USING A DEXTROUS ROBOT HAND. J Occup Health. 2017 Jan 21.

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EBSA upcoming events on #Biosafety

22 MAR 2017

7th “Annual International Symposium on Biosafety and Biosecurity: Future Trends and Solutions”

Milán, Italy.

When: 22 March 2017 - 13:00 to 24 March 2017 - 14:00

http://www.ebsaweb.eu/event/7th-annual-international-symposium-biosafety-and-biosecurity-future-trends-and-solutions

25 APR 2017

20th Annual meeting - EBSA conference

Madrid, Spain

When: 25 April 2017 - 09:00 to 28 April 2017 - 17:00

http://www.ebsaweb.eu/event/20th-annual-meeting-ebsa-conference

12 JUN 2017

IVBW18- International Veterinary Biosafety Workgroup

When: 12 June 2017 - 10:00 to 15 June 2017

Brazil.

http://www.ebsaweb.eu/event/ivbw18-international-veterinary-biosafety-workgroup

24 AUG 2017

SBNet - 11th Applied Biosafety Meeting

When: 24 August 2017 - 13:00 to 25 August 2017 - 17:00

Basel, Switzerland,

http://www.swissbiosafety.ch/event-2362416

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Aerosol Generation During Bone-Sawing Procedures in Veterinary Autopsies

elpais.com; NatGeo

Bone-sawing procedures are routinely performed during veterinary and human autopsies and represent an important source for infectious aerosols. Here we investigate the generation of aerosols during bone-sawing procedures using 5 different saws regularly used in veterinary and human pathology. In particular, the electrical bone band saw produced vast amounts of aerosolized particles less than 5 µm in diameter, which spread rapidly throughout the entire autopsy hall, leading to an exposure of all personnel. Other sawing devices tested were a diamond-coated cut grinder, an oscillating saw, a reciprocating saw, and a hand bone saw. Although these saws, especially the handsaw, generated fewer aerosolized particles than the band saw, the level of exposure of the saw operator would still be of concern in cases where infectious material would require sawing. Contamination of the entire autopsy area was successfully prevented by the construction of a separately ventilated sawing cabin inside the existing autopsy room. Saw operators in this cabin, however, were exposed to even higher aerosol concentrations. Protection of saw operators was achieved by using a powered air-purifying respirator. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that all bone-sawing procedures applied in veterinary and human pathology can generate aerosols that are of concern for the health of autopsy personnel. To reduce the risk of aerosol infections from bone-sawing procedures, efficient and properly designed ventilation systems to limit the spread of aerosols and appropriate personal protective equipment against aerosols for exposed personnel should be implemented.

REFERENCES:
Wenner L, et al. Aerosol Generation During Bone-Sawing Procedures in Veterinary Autopsies. Vet Pathol. 2017 Jan 1:300985816688744. doi: 10.1177/0300985816688744.

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Universal and reusable virus deactivation system for respiratory protection

Aerosolized pathogens are a leading cause of respiratory infection and transmission. Currently used protective measures pose potential risk of primary/secondary infection and transmission. Here, we report the development of a universal, reusable virus deactivation system by functionalization of the main fibrous filtration unit of surgical mask with sodium chloride salt. The salt coating on the fiber surface dissolves upon exposure to virus aerosols and recrystallizes during drying, destroying the pathogens. When tested with tightly sealed sides, salt-coated filters showed remarkably higher filtration efficiency than conventional mask filtration layer, and 100% survival rate was observed in mice infected with virus penetrated through salt-coated filters. Viruses captured on salt-coated filters exhibited rapid infectivity loss compared to gradual decrease on bare filters. Salt-coated filters proved highly effective in deactivating influenza viruses regardless of subtypes and following storage in harsh environmental conditions. Our results can be applied in obtaining a broad-spectrum, airborne pathogen prevention device in preparation for epidemic and pandemic of respiratory diseases.

REFERENCE:
Quan, Fu-Shi et al. “Universal and Reusable Virus Deactivation System for Respiratory Protection.” Scientific Reports 7 (2017): 39956. PMC. Web. 8 Jan. 2017.

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How to improve influenza vaccine coverage of healthcare personnel

Influenza causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide each year. Healthcare-associated influenza is a frequent event. Health care personnel (HCP) may be the source for infecting patients and may propagate nosocomial outbreaks. All HCP should receive a dose of influenza vaccine each year to protect themselves and others. This commentary will discuss the study recently published in the IJHPR by Nutman and Yoeli which assessed the beliefs and attitudes of HCP in an Israel hospital regarding influenza and the influenza vaccine. Unfortunately, as noted by Nutman and Yoeli in this issue many HCP in Israel choose not to receive influenza immunization and many harbor misconceptions regarding their risk for influenza as well as the benefits of influenza vaccine. We also discuss proven methods to increase acceptance by HCP for receiving an annual influenza vaccine.

REFERENCE:
Weber, David J., Orenstein W, and Rutala WA. “How to Improve Influenza Vaccine Coverage of Healthcare Personnel.” Israel Journal of Health Policy Research 5 (2016): 61. PMC. Web. 8 Jan. 2017.

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Occupational HIV infection in a research laboratory

A lab-worker was infected with HIV-1 in a biosafety level-2 of containment, without any apparent breach. Through full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, we could identify the source of infection in a replication-competent clone, unknowingly contaminating a safe experiment. Mode of transmission remains unclear. Caution is warranted when handling HIV-derived constructs.

REFERENCE:
Soria A, Alteri C, Scarlatti G, et al. Occupational HIV infection in a research laboratory with unknown mode of transmission: a case report. Clin Infect Dis. 2016 Dec 28.
(ACCESO SOLO CON SUBSCRIPCIÓN)
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Entra en vigor la prohibición de la #FDA de usar guantes con talco

A partir de hoy, Enero 18 de 2017, entra en vigor la prohibición del uso de guantes con talco, tanto en instalaciones de atención a la salud como en áreas veterinarias, en virtud de que plantean peligros para la salud humana. El talco utilizado en todos los tipos de guantes se ha relacionado con muchos efectos adversos potencialmente graves, como inflamación grave de las vías respiratorias, reacciones de hipersensibilidad, reacciones alérgicas (incluida el asma), inflamación y daño pulmonar, granuloma y adherencias peritoneales. Las reacciones alérgicas respiratorias también pueden deberse a proteínas en el talco de guantes pulverizado, señala la FDA.
De acuerdo con el organismo oficial, se cuenta con alternativas sin talco para guantes, tanto de cirujanos como para la exploración de pacientes, y proporcionan protección similar, destreza y desempeño, pero sin ninguno de los riesgos asociados a los guantes con talco. "Por consiguiente, una transición a las alternativas disponibles en el comercio no debiera ir en detrimento de la salud pública". Las alternativas a este tipo de guantes, son el uso de guantes SIN TALCO. La prohibición incluye la fabricación, distribución, venta y uso de guantes con talco como producto final, por lo que es de esperarse que los fabricantes de Estados Unidos dejen de distribuir a otros países.
Con información de Medscape y FDA.gov

REFERENCIAS:

1. FDA: Banned Devices; Ban Powdered Surgeon’s Gloves,Powdered Patient Examination Gloves, andAbsorbable Powder for Lubricating a Surgeon’sGlove
2. FDA Ban on Powdered Medical Gloves Applies to Veterinary Use
3. Decisión final: La FDA prohíbe los guantes con talco en las intervenciones quirúrgicas y en la práctica clínica

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