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Characteristics
Morphology
Fungus belonging to the Trichocomaceae family. Colonies grow rapidly, producing white, green, yellow, or black colonies
Disease

Aspergillosis, Farmer’s Lung. A. fumigatus causes most infections, and A. niger and A. flavus are second.
Zoonosis
None.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Humans, animals, and birds.
Modes of Transmission
Inhalation, through contaminated water, and nosocomial infections (hospital fabrics and plastics)
Signs and Symptoms 
Fever, facial pain, headache, asymmetric facial swelling, epistaxis, proptosis, cranial nerve abnormalities.
Infectious Dose Unknown.
Incubation Period 
2 days to 3 months
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis None available.
Vaccines None available.
Treatment
Voriconazole, amphotericin B, posaconazole and echinocandins. Is resistant to itraconazole and some isolates have been reported to be resistant to voriconazole, posaconazole and echinocandins.
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
None reported
 Sources
Sputum, biopsy material, transtracheal aspirates, blood, and soil. Inhalation of air contaminated with Aspergillus spores.
Supplemental References
Canadian MSDS: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/index-eng.php
BMBL:
 https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html 
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
Susceptible to 1:10 bleach:water, 70 % ethanol, accelerated hydrogen peroxide
Inactivation
Inactivated by heat (greater than 45 minutes at 60°C).
Survival Outside Host
Can survive in soil and decomposing vegetation.
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.