Abstract
The worldwide resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) has resulted in a rapid expansion in research efforts directed at a deeper understanding of the disease, the efficacy of vaccines, and improved drug targets. This has required the establishment of multiple new facilities to contain the pathogen and to protect staff from accidental infection. In addition, much of the research effort has been due to the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains which offer increased levels of hazard in the event of laboratory infection and focus the need for stringent working practices. This chapter presents an overview of the recommendations and regulations for working with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and suggests some ideas based on our experience in setting up and using Category 3 facilities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
CDC (1976c) Classification of Etiological Agents on the Basis of Hazard. 4th ed. Washington: Government Printing Office.
CDC (1981) Classification of Etiological Agents on the Basis of Hazard. Federal Register 46, 59,379–59,380.
DH (1975) Report of the Working Party on the Laboratory Use of Dangerous Pathogens. Cdmnd. 6054. London, The Stationary Office.
WHO (1993) Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 2ndedn, Geneva: World Health Organisation.
ADCP, (1990) Categorization of Pathogens According to hazard and categories of Containment. Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, London: The Stationary Office.
WHO, 1997 bulletin.
Lurie M. B. (1964) Resistance to Tuberculosis: Experimental Studies in Native and Acquired Defense Mechanisms. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
Osbourne R., Durkin T., Shannon H., Dornan E., and Hughes C. (1999) Performance of open-fronted microbiology safety cabinets: the value of operator protection tests during routine servicing. J. Appl. Micro. 86, 962–970.
Evans M. R., Henderson D. K., and Bennett J. E. (1990) Potential for laboratory exposure to biohazardous agents found in blood. Am. J. Public Health 80, 423–427.
Royal Mail. The Post Office Packaging and Labeling Specification for the Safe Transport of Diagnostic Samples, including Infectious Substances.
IATA (1994). Dangerous goods regulations. Montreal: International Air Transport Association.
United Nations (1996) Committee of experts on transport of Dangerous Goods, Division 2 Infectious substances 10th ed. revised New York: UN
Belisle J. T. and Sonnenberg M. G. (1998) Isolation of genomic DNA from mycobacteria, in Mycobacterial Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 101, Parish T. and Stoker N. G., eds., ISBN 0-89603-471-2.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2001 Humana Press Inc.
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Alderton, H., Smith, D. (2001). Safety in the Laboratory. In: Parish, T., Stoker, N.G. (eds) Mycobacterium tuberculosis Protocols. Methods in Molecular Medicine, vol 54. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-147-7:367
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-147-7:367
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-776-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-147-3
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols