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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#Zika virus in asymptomatic blood donors in Martinique

Many aspects of Zika fever natural history remain unknown (eg, the proportion of asymptomatic cases and the duration of viremia). Estimating the prevalence of Zika infections is difficult because a large proportion of infected individuals do not seek medical attention, and seroprevalence studies are hampered by antigenic cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses (eg, dengue virus).11 Here, we present a study of ZIKV infection in blood donors from Martinique island (French West Indies, Caribbean region), with novel epidemiological, biological, and clinical information that refines the picture of Zika fever in adults.

REFERENCE:
Gallian P, et al. Zika virus in asymptomatic blood donors in Martinique. Blood. 2017 Jan 12;129(2):263-266.
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NOM-051-SCT2-2011, Clasificación de substancias infecciosas y embalaje

CONSIDERANDO:
Que es necesario establecer las disposiciones generales que se deben cumplir para el transporte de los envases y embalajes de las substancias peligrosas de la división 6.2 agentes infecciosos.
Que dada la importancia de la utilización de envases y embalajes de las substancias peligrosas de la división 6.2, es menester que se realice bajo condiciones que garanticen la seguridad en la prestación de los servicios de transporte, y que esto no represente un riesgo para la población y el medio ambiente.
Se publicó la:
NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-051-SCT2/2011, Especificaciones para la clasificación de las substancias infecciosas y especificaciones especiales y adicionales para la construcción y ensayo (prueba) de los envases y/o embalajes que transporten substancias infecciosas de la división 6.2, Categoría A.

Guidance on regulations for the Transport of Infectious Substances 2015–2016 (Se actualizará en los próximos meses para el periodo 2017-2018.)

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European agreement: International carriage of dangerous goods by road

This authoritative Agreement is intended to increase the safety of international transport of dangerous goods by road. Its Annexes A and B contain the technical requirements for road transport, i.e. the conditions under which dangerous goods, when authorized for transport, may be carried internationally, as well as uniform provisions concerning the construction and operation of vehicles carrying dangerous goods. They also establish international requirements and procedures for training and safety obligations of participants. The Agreement has been regularly amended and updated since its entry into force. This version has been prepared on the basis of amendments applicable as from 1 January 2017.

REFERENCE:
European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road.
United Nations 2016.
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#HISTORY: The Spanish royal philanthropic expedition to bring #smallpox vaccination to the New World, XIX Century

The New World was ravaged by smallpox for several centuries after the Spanish conquest. Jenner's discovery of the smallpox vaccine made possible the prevention and control of smallpox epidemics. In response to a large outbreak of smallpox in the Spanish colonies, King Charles IV appointed Francisco Xavier de Balmis to lead an expedition that would introduce Jenner's vaccine to these colonies. During the journey, the vaccine was kept viable by passing it from arm to arm in orphaned children, who were brought along expressly for that purpose and remained under the care of the orphanage's director. This expedition was the first large scale mass vaccination of its kind. The historic legacy of this pioneering event in international health should be revisited in the current era of persistent inequalities in global health.

>> VER PELÍCULA (antes del 27DIC2016) <<

REFERENCIA:
Franco-Paredes C, Lammoglia L, Santos-Preciado JI. The Spanish royal philanthropic expedition to bring smallpox vaccination to the New World and Asia  in the 19th century. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Nov 1;41(9):1285-9.
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Use of transgenic Aedes aegypti in Brazil: risk perception and assessment.

Este artículo se encuentra en ESPAÑOL / This article is translated in multi languages
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The OX513A strain of Aedes aegypti, which was developed by the British company Oxitec, expresses a self-limiting transgene that prevents larvae from developing to adulthood. In April 2014, the Brazilian National Technical Commission on Biosafety completed a risk assessment of OX513A and concluded that the strain did not present new biological risks to humans or the environment and could be released in Brazil. At that point, Brazil became the first country to approve the unconstrained release of a genetically modified mosquito. During the assessment, the commission produced a comprehensive list of - and systematically analysed - the perceived hazards. Such hazards included the potential survival to adulthood of immature stages carrying the transgene - should the transgene fail to be expressed or be turned off by exposure to sufficient environmental tetracycline. Other perceived hazards included the potential allergenicity and/or toxicity of the proteins expressed by the gene, the potential for gene flow or increased transmission of human pathogens and the occupation of vacant breeding sites by other vector species. The Zika epidemic both elevated the perceived importance of Ae. aegypti as a vector - among policy-makers and regulators as well as the general public - and increased concerns over the release of males of the OX513A strain. We have therefore reassessed the potential hazards. We found that release of the transgenic mosquitoes would still be both safe and of great potential value in the control of diseases spread by Ae. aegypti, such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika.
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Uso de Aedes aegypti transgénicos en Brasil: percepción y evaluación de riesgos

La cepa OX513A de Aedes aegypti, que desarrolló la empresa británica Oxitec, expresa un transgén autolimitado que impide que las larvas se desarrollen hasta la edad adulta. En abril de 2014, la Comisión Nacional Técnica de Bioseguridad de Brasil realizó una evaluación de riesgos de OX513A y concluyó que la cepa no presentaba nuevos riesgos biológicos para los humanos o el medioambiente y que podría liberarse en Brasil. En ese momento, Brasil se convirtió en el primer país en aprobar la liberación ilimitada de un mosquito modificado genéticamente. A lo largo de la evaluación, la comisión redactó una lista completa, y analizada sistemáticamente, de las posibles contingencias. Entre dichos peligros se encontraba la posible supervivencia hasta la edad adulta de etapas inmaduras que portan el transgén, en caso de que éste no consiga expresarse o se inutilice debido a la exposición a la suficiente tetraciclina medioambiental. Otras posibles contingencias eran la alergia y/o toxicidad de las proteínas expresadas por el gen, la posibilidad de un flujo genético o el aumento de la transmisión de patógenos humanos y la ocupación de lugares de cría desocupados por parte de otras especies vectores. La epidemia por el virus de Zika aumentó la importancia de Ae. aegypti como vector, entre los responsables y reguladores políticos, así como entre el público general, y aumentó las preocupaciones acerca de la liberación de machos de la cepa OX513A. Por lo tanto, se han vuelto a evaluar los posibles riesgos. Se ha descubierto que la liberación de mosquitos transgénicos sería segura y tendría un gran valor potencial en el control de la propagación de enfermedades por Ae. aegypti, como la fiebre chikungunya, el dengue y la enfermedad por el virus de Zika.

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REFERENCE:

Paes de Andrade P, et al. Use of transgenic Aedes aegypti in Brazil: risk perception and assessment. Bull World Health Organ. 2016 Oct 1;94(10):766-771.
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Película completa "22 angeles" online, por RTVE. Hasta Dic 27, 2016. #viruela

Ya pueden verla en línea. Disponible hasta el 27 de diciembre de 2016.
Gran historia basada en hechos reales: la expedición encabezada por el doctor Francisco Javier Balmis que llevó la vacuna de la viruela a las Américas a comienzos del siglo XIX.
En el barco en el que emprenden la travesía viajan 22 niños, los portadores de la vacuna de la viruela “brazo a brazo”. Junto a ellos, la directora de un orfanato de A Coruña, Isabel Cendal, la encargada de encontrar a los “22 ángeles” y la persona que se ocupará de ellos a lo largo de toda la travesía. Una mujer en un barco lleno de rudos marineros, pero donde también viaja el ayudante del doctor Balmis, el doctor Salvany.

>> VER COMPLETO "22 ÀNGELES" <<
http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/22-angeles/22-angeles-cap-1-hd/3827192/

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Revista Mexicana de Bioseguridad 2016

La Asociación Mexicana de Bioseguridad presentó la nueva Revista MExicana de Bioseguridad 2016, que contiene como artículo principal los Lineamientos para la Gestión de Riesgo Biológico, un gran esfuerzo de profesionales de Bioseguridad en México, con base en el CWA15793: Laboratory Biorisk Management 2018. La revista contiene además, el archivo fotográfico y resúmenes de trabajos libres del 8º Simposio de Bioseguridad y Biocustodia desarrollado en 2016. Pueden descargar la revista y sus ediciones anteriores desde la página: http://amexbio.wildapricot.org/Revista

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Establishing protocols for tick containment at Biosafety Level 4.

Tick-borne diseases continue to emerge and have a great impact on public health and agriculture. In addition, many of the agents of tick-borne diseases, which are classified as Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) viruses, have the potential to be used as biothreat agents. In spite of the known importance of these pathogens, there is an acute shortage of facilities and trained personnel to study the pathogenesis of tick-borne diseases and to assess vaccine as well as other therapeutic interventions against tick-borne diseases as they are transmitted in nature. We, at the Galveston National Laboratory, have developed facilities and protocols to safely work with BSL4 virus-infected ticks. This capability adds tremendous value to the Nation's training and research endeavors. In this report we describe the procedures and protocols to establish tick work in a BSL4 laboratory.

REFERENCE:
Thangamani S, Bente D. Establishing protocols for tick containment at Biosafety Level 4. Pathog Dis. 2014 Jul;71(2):282-5.
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Preparation of viral samples within biocontainment for ultrastructural analysis

Transmission electron microscopy can be used to observe the ultrastructure of viruses and other microbial pathogens with nanometer resolution. In a transmission electron microscope (TEM), the image is created by passing an electron beam through a specimen with contrast generated by electron scattering from dense elements in the specimen. Viruses do not normally contain dense elements, so a negative stain that places dense heavy metal salts around the sample is added to create a dark border. To prepare a virus sample for a negative stain transmission electron microscopy, a virus suspension is applied to a TEM grid specimen support, which is a 3mm diameter fragile specimen screen coated with a few nanometers of plastic film. Then, deionized (dI) water rinses and a negative stain solution are applied to the grid. All infectious viruses must be handled in a biosafety cabinet (BSC) and many require a biocontainment laboratory environment. Staining viruses in biosafety levels (BSL) 3 and 4 is especially challenging because the support grids are small, fragile, and easily moved by air currents. In this study we evaluated a new device for negative staining viruses called mPrep/g capsule. It is a capsule that holds up to two TEM grids during all processing steps and for storage after staining is complete. This study reports that the mPrep/g capsule method is valid and effective to negative stain virus specimens, especially in high containment laboratory environments.

REFERENCE:
Monninger MK, et al. Preparation of viral samples within biocontainment for ultrastructural analysis: Utilization of an innovative processing capsule for negative staining. J Virol Methods. 2016 Dec;238:70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2016.10.005. PubMed PMID: 27751950.
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#VIDEO: Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory

Biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) suit laboratories are specifically designed to study high-consequence pathogens for which neither infection prophylaxes nor treatment options exist. The hallmarks of these laboratories are: custom-designed airtight doors, dedicated supply and exhaust airflow systems, a negative-pressure environment, and mandatory use of positive-pressure (“space”) suits. The risk for laboratory specialists working with highly pathogenic agents is minimized through rigorous training and adherence to stringent safety protocols and standard operating procedures. Researchers perform the majority of their work in BSL-2 laboratories and switch to BSL-4 suit laboratories when work with a high-consequence pathogen is required. Collaborators and scientists considering BSL-4 projects should be aware of the challenges associated with BSL-4 research both in terms of experimental technical limitations in BSL-4 laboratory space and the increased duration of such experiments. Tasks such as entering and exiting the BSL-4 suit laboratories are considerably more complex and time-consuming compared to BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories. The focus of this particular article is to address basic biosafety concerns and describe the entrance and exit procedures for the BSL-4 laboratory at the NIH/NIAID Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick. Such procedures include checking external systems that support the BSL-4 laboratory, and inspecting and donning positive-pressure suits, entering the laboratory, moving through air pressure-resistant doors, and connecting to air-supply hoses. We will also discuss moving within and exiting the BSL-4 suit laboratories, including using the chemical shower and removing and storing positive-pressure suits.

REFERENCE:
Janosko, Krisztina et al. “Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 1. Biosafety Level 4 Suit Laboratory Suite Entry and Exit Procedures.” Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE 116 (2016): 52317. PMC. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.
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Containment of Arthropod Disease Vectors

Arthropods

Effective containment of arthropod vectors of infectious diseases is necessary to prevent transmission of pathogens by released, infected vectors and to prevent vectors that escape from establishing populations that subsequently contribute to increased disease. Although rare, past releases illustrate what can go wrong and justify the need for guidelines that minimize risks. An overview of recommendations for insectary facilities, practices, and equipment is provided, and features of four recently published and increasingly rigorous arthropod containment levels (ACLs 1-4) are summarized. ACL-1 is appropriate for research that constitutes the lowest risk level, including uninfected arthropods or vectors that are infected with micro-organisms that do not cause disease in humans, domestic animals, or wildlife. ACL-2 is appropriate for indigenous and exotic arthropods that represent a moderate risk, including vectors infected or suspected of being infected with biosafety level (BSL)-2 infectious agents and arthropods that have been genetically modified in ways that do not significantly affect their fecundity, survival, host preference, or vector competence. ACL-3 is recommended for arthropods that are or may be infected with BSL-3 infectious agents. ACL-3 places greater emphasis on pathogen containment and more restricted access to the insectary than ACL-2. ACL-4 is intended for arthropods that are infected with the most dangerous BSL-4 infectious agents, which can cause life-threatening illness by aerosol or arthropod bite. Adherence to these guidelines will result in laboratory-based arthropod vector research that minimizes risks and results in important new contributions to applied and basic science.

REFERENCE:
Scott TW. Containment of arthropod disease vectors. ILAR J. 2005;46(1):53-61. Review.

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Communicable Diseases and Outbreak Control

Infectious disease during an emergency condition can raise the death rate 60 times in comparison to other causes including trauma. An epidemic, or outbreak, can occur when several aspects of the agent (pathogen), population (hosts), and the environment create an ideal situation for spread. Overcrowding, poor regional design and hygiene due to poverty, dirty drinking water, rapid climate changes, and natural disasters, can lead to conditions that allow easier transmission of disease. Once it has been established that an emergency condition exists, there must be a prompt and thorough response for communicable disease control. A camp should be created, and the disease managed rapidly. The overall goals are rapid assessment, prevention, surveillance, outbreak control, and disease management.

REFERENCE:

AMELI, Jonathan. “Communicable Diseases and Outbreak Control.” Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine 15.Suppl 1 (2015): 20–26. PMC.

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Informe Mundial sobre el Paludismo 2015

El Informe Mundial sobre el Paludismo 2015 resume la información recibida de los países en los que esta enfermedad es endémica, así como de otras fuentes. En él se evalúan las tendencias mundiales y regionales del paludismo, se destacan los progresos realizados hacia la consecución de las metas mundiales, y se describen las oportunidades y los desafíos en el control y eliminación de la enfermedad.
El informe muestra una disminución dramática en la carga global del paludismo desde el 2000. Cincuenta y siete países redujeron sus casos de paludismo en un 75%, en línea con las metas de la Asamblea Mundial de la Salud para el 2015.
A pesar de este enorme progreso, todavía queda mucho por hacer para reducir aún más la carga del paludismo. La Estrategia Técnica Mundial contra la Malaria 2016-2030, aprobada por la Asamblea Mundial de la Salud en mayo de 2015, establece objetivos ambiciosos pero alcanzables para el año 2030, incluyendo una reducción de por lo menos el 90% en la incidencia y mortalidad por paludismo a nivel mundial.

REFERENCE:
Informe Mundial sobre el Paludismo 2015
Número de páginas: 32
Fecha de publicación: 2016
Idiomas: Español, francés e inglés
Número de referencia OMS: WHO/HTM/GMP.2016.2 (resumen)
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Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Polymers: A Mini-Review

Human safety and well-being is threatened by microbes causing numerous infectious diseases resulting in a large number of deaths every year. Despite substantial progress in antimicrobial drugs, many infectious diseases remain difficult to treat. Antimicrobial polymers offer a promising antimicrobial strategy for fighting pathogens and have received considerable attention in both academic and industrial research. This mini-review presents the advances made in antimicrobial polymers since 2013. Antimicrobial mechanisms exhibiting either passive or active action and polymer material types containing bound or leaching antimicrobials are introduced. This article also addresses the applications of these antimicrobial polymers in the medical, food, and textile industries.

REFERENCE:
Huang, Keng-Shiang et al. “Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Polymers: A Mini-Review.” Ed. Antonella Piozzi and Iolanda Francolini. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 17.9 (2016): 1578.
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VIDEO: Safety procedures for handling sharps

This VIDEO discusses proper safety procedures for handling sharps in the lab:

>>  https://vimeo.com/185731520  <<

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The Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER)

The Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) serves as an essential instrument for the rapid and accurate dissemination of epidemiological information on cases and outbreaks of diseases under the International Health Regulations and on other communicable diseases of public health importance, including emerging or re-emerging infections.

REFERENCE:
Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER)

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Niveles de bioseguridad

A partir de la publicación del nuevo manual de bioseguridad en el laboratorio de la OMS en Dic/2020, desaparecen los niveles de bioseguridad, y se establecen las medidas de bioseguridad basadas en riesgos. 

REFERENCIA:
Página 15. Manual de bioseguridad en el laboratorio. Tercera edición, Organización Mundial de la Salud. 2005. ISBN 9243546503
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#WEBINAR: The Necrobiome - Microbial Life After Death

What happens to us after we die? A decomposing corpse becomes its own mini-ecosystem, hosting insects, scavengers and multitudes of microbes. Microbes from the environment, the corpse, as well as the insects and scavengers are blended together and work to recycle tissues back to their constituents. Dr. Jennifer DeBruyn will discuss the fascinating process of human decomposition, and how scientists are using that information to inform forensic science, livestock mortality management and fossilization. The talk will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. ET (CDMX: 5:30 p.m.), an you can watch onlineat the ASM Youtube Channel:  https://youtu.be/iqVpL0y5ofM

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OCTUBRE 15: Día mundial del lavado de manos "Siempre lave sus manos"

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HIGH-CONTAINMENT LABS: Improved Oversight of Dangerous Pathogens Needed to Mitigate Risk

The total number of incidents involving incomplete inactivation—a process to destroy the hazardous effects of pathogens while retaining characteristics for future use—that occurred from 2003 through 2015 is unknown for several reasons. One key reason is that the Select Agent Program—operated by the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) to oversee certain dangerous pathogens, known as select agents—does not require laboratories to identify such incidents on reporting forms. According to the program, 10 incidents occurred from 2003 through 2015. However, GAO identified an additional 11 incidents that the program did not initially identify. Because the program cannot easily identify incidents involving incomplete inactivation, it does not know the frequency or reason they occur, making it difficult to develop guidance to help mitigate future incidents. The 21 identified incidents involved a variety of pathogens and laboratories, as shown below.

REFERENCE:
HIGH-CONTAINMENT LABORATORIES: Improved Oversight of Dangerous Pathogens Needed to Mitigate Risk. GAO-16-642: Published: Aug 30, 2016. Publicly Released: Sep 21, 2016.
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Measuring Pathogen Decay in Bioaerosols

This work aimed to develop an in vivo approach for measuring the duration of human bioaerosol infectivity. To achieve this, techniques designed to target short-term and long-term bioaerosol aging, were combined in a tandem system and optimized for the collection of human respiratory bioaerosols, without contamination. To demonstrate the technique, cough aerosols were sampled from two persons with cystic fibrosis and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Measurements and cultures from aerosol ages of 10, 20, 40, 900 and 2700 seconds were used to determine the optimum droplet nucleus size for pathogen transport and the airborne bacterial biological decay. The droplet nuclei containing the greatest number of colony forming bacteria per unit volume of airborne sputum were between 1.5 and 2.6 μm. Larger nuclei of 3.9 μm, were more likely to produce a colony when impacted onto growth media, because the greater volume of sputum comprising the larger droplet nuclei, compensated for lower concentrations of bacteria within the sputum of larger nuclei. Although more likely to produce a colony, the larger droplet nuclei were small in number, and the greatest numbers of colonies were instead produced by nuclei from 1.5 to 5.7 μm. Very few colonies were produced by smaller droplet nuclei, despite their very large numbers. The concentration of viable bacteria within the dried sputum comprising the droplet nuclei exhibited an orderly dual decay over time with two distinct half-lives. Nuclei exhibiting a rapid biological decay process with a 10 second half-life were quickly exhausted, leaving only a subset characterized by a half-life of greater than 10 minutes. This finding implied that a subset of bacteria present in the aerosol was resistant to rapid biological decay and remained viable in room air long enough to represent an airborne infection risk.

REFERENCE:
Johnson, Graham R. et al. “A Novel Method and Its Application to Measuring Pathogen Decay in Bioaerosols from Patients with Respiratory Disease.” Ed. Nicole M. Bouvier. PLoS ONE 11.7 (2016): e0158763.
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Concentrations and Sources of Airborne Particles in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have underdeveloped immune systems, making them susceptible to adverse health consequences from air pollutant exposure. Little is known about the sources of indoor airborne particles that contribute to the exposure of premature infants in the NICU environment. In this study, we monitored the spatial and temporal variations of airborne particulate matter concentrations along with other indoor environmental parameters and human occupancy. The experiments were conducted over one year in a private-style NICU. The NICU was served by a central heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system equipped with an economizer and a high-efficiency particle filtration system. The following parameters were measured continuously during weekdays with 1-min resolution: particles larger than 0.3 μm resolved into 6 size groups, CO2 level, dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity, and presence or absence of occupants. Altogether, over sixteen periods of a few weeks each, measurements were conducted in rooms occupied with premature infants. In parallel, a second monitoring station was operated in a nearby hallway or at the local nurses’ station. The monitoring data suggest a strong link between indoor particle concentrations and human occupancy. Detected particle peaks from occupancy were clearly discernible among larger particles and imperceptible for submicron (0.3–1 μm) particles. The mean indoor particle mass concentrations averaged across the size range 0.3–10 μm during occupied periods was 1.9 μg/m3, approximately 2.5 times the concentration during unoccupied periods (0.8 μg/m3). Contributions of within-room emissions to total PM10 mass in the baby rooms averaged 37–81%. Near-room indoor emissions and outdoor sources contributed 18–59% and 1–5%, respectively. Airborne particle levels in the size range 1–10 μm showed strong dependence on human activities, indicating the importance of indoor-generated particles for infant’s exposure to airborne particulate matter in the NICU.

REFERENCE:
Licina, Dusan et al. “Concentrations and Sources of Airborne Particles in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.” Ed. Jeffrey Shaman. PLoS ONE 11.5 (2016): e0154991.

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Recent advances in synthetic biosafety

Synthetically engineered organisms hold promise for a broad range of medical, environmental, and industrial applications. Organisms can potentially be designed, for example, for the inexpensive and environmentally benign synthesis of pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals, for the cleanup of environmental pollutants, and potentially even for biomedical applications such as the targeting of specific diseases or tissues. However, the use of synthetically engineered organisms comes with several reasonable safety concerns, one of which is that the organisms or their genes could escape their intended habitats and cause environmental disruption. Here we review key recent developments in this emerging field of synthetic biocontainment and discuss further developments that might be necessary for the widespread use of synthetic organisms. Specifically, we discuss the history and modern development of three strategies for the containment of synthetic microbes: addiction to an exogenously supplied ligand; self-killing outside of a designated environment; and self-destroying encoded DNA circuitry outside of a designated environment.

REFERENCE:
Simon, Anna J., and Andrew D. Ellington. “Recent Advances in Synthetic Biosafety.” F1000 Research 5 (2016): F1000 Faculty Rev–2118. PMC. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.
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