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Characteristics
Morphology
Microaerobic, non-spore forming, gram-negative bacteria. They form motile, spiral shaped rods Nonmotile, gram negative, obligate intracellular pathogen that is around 0.3-1 µm in diameter.
Disease

Ocular trachoma: acute inflammation of the epithelium of the eye. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV): genital ulcers followed by lymphadenophathy.
Zoonosis
None.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Human.
Modes of Transmission
Close contact with infected individuals, fomites, and flies. Vaginal, anal or oral sexual contact, or during passage through the birth canal.
Signs and Symptoms 
Chills, headache, myaglias, and arthralgias. Infection can further spread into the eyes, central nervous system, heart and lungs. Pelvic pain, burning urination, and abnormal vaginal bleeding, with inflammation of the endocervical columnar epithelium.
Infectious Dose Unknown.
Incubation Period 
7-14 days for trachoma and genital infections, 3-30 days for LGV.
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis None.
Vaccines None.
Treatment
Azithromycin, doxycycline, or topical tetracycline.
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
Have been reported.
 Sources
Genital, bubo and conjunctival fluids, cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol.
Supplemental References
BMBL:
 https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
Canada PSDS:
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
1% sodium hypochlorite, 70 % ethanol, 0.5% glutaraldehyde, iodines, and formaldehyde
Inactivation
Inactivated by moist heat (60 minutes at 121oC), dry heat (1 hour at 160-170oC).
Survival Outside Host
Can survive on surfaces for 2-3 hours under humid conditions.
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.