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Characteristics
Morphology
Microaerobic, non-spore forming, gram-negative bacteria. They form motile, spiral shaped rods that are 0.2-0.9 μm wide and 0.5-5 μm long, and moves by a corkscrew-like motion.
Disease

Gastroenteritis.
Zoonosis
Yes – Transmitted from a variety of animals (birds and mammals).
Health Hazards
Host Range
Humans, cattle, wild birds, poultry, pigs, sheep, dogs, cats, water, mink, rabbits, and insects
Modes of Transmission
Oral ingestion of bacteria from faecally contaminated food (primarily chicken) or drinking water is the main mode of transmission.
Signs and Symptoms 
Diarrhea (sometimes bloody) that lasts 2-10 days, as well as mild to severe abdominal pain, fever, malaise, nausea and vomiting.
Infectious Dose 500 organisms by ingestion.
Incubation Period 
1 to 10 days.
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis None.
Vaccines None.
Treatment
Supportive care and if necessary, antibiotic treatment with erythromycin.
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
Yes, several cases have been reported.
 Sources
Fecal samples, blood and specimens from animals, cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol.
Supplemental References
BMBL:
 https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
Canada PSDS:
CDC:
NIH Guidelines:
Risk Group & Containment Requirements
Risk Group 2

Agents that are associated with human disease which is rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available.
BSL2
For all procedures involving suspected or known infectious specimen or cultures.
ABSL2
For all procedures involving infected animals
Spill Procedures
Small
Notify others working in the lab. Remove PPE and don new PPE. Cover area of the spill with absorbent material and add fresh 1:10 bleach:water. Allow 20 munutes (or as directed) of contact time. After 20 minutes, cleanup and dispose of materials.
Large
  • Immediately notify all personnel in the lab and clear all personnel from the area. Remove any contaminated PPE/clothing and leave the lab. 
  • Secure the area by locking doors, posting signage and guarding the area to keep people out of the space. 
For assistance, contact MSU's Biosafety Officer (406-994-6733) or Safety and Risk Management (406-994-2711).
Exposure Procedures
Mucous membrane
Flush eyes, mouth, or nose for 5 minutes at eyewash station.
Other Exposures
Wash area with soap and water for 5 minutes.
Reporting
Immediately report incident to supervisor, complete a First Report of Injury form, and submit to Safety and Risk Management.
Medical Follow-up
During business hours: Bridger Occupational Health 3406 Laramie Drive. Weekdays 8am -6pm.  Weekends 9am-5pm
After business hours: Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Emergency Room 915 Highland Blvd Bozeman, MT
Viability
Disinfection
10 mg/L iodophor, 1:50 000 quaternary ammonium compound, 0.15% phenolic compound, 70% ethyl alcohol or 0.125% glutaraldehyde all with a contact time of 1 minute or 5mg/L of hypochlorite with a contact time of 5 minutes.
Inactivation
Inactivated by moist heat (60 minutes at 121oC) and dry heat (1 hour at 160-170oC), gamma irradiation.
Survival Outside Host
Survives freezing for several months in frozen poultry, minced meat, and other cold food products, an survive for many weeks in water at 4°C, but only a few days in water above 15°C.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Minimum PPE Requirements
Lab coat, disposable gloves, safety glasses, closed toed shoes, long pants
Additional Precautions
 Additioanl PPE may be required depending on lab specific SOPs and IBC Protocol.