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Characteristics
Morphology
Strictly anaerobic, Gram-negative, coccus-shaped bacterium.
Disease

It is a normal part of the oral flora but can be associated with diseases such as periodontitis and dental caries as well as various systemic infections, including meningitis and osteomyelitis.
Zoonosis
None.
Health Hazards
Host Range
Humans.
Modes of Transmission
Direct contact, particularly through oral secretions. It can also be transmitted maternally, via breast milk.
Signs and Symptoms 
Fever, chills, and pain, which can manifest as low back pain, neck discomfort, or pain with movement.
Infectious Dose Unknown.
Incubation Period 
2-3 days.
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis Good oral hygiene.
Vaccines None.
Treatment
Typically treated with metronidazole and penicillin.
Surveillance Monitor for symptoms.
MSU Requirements Report any exposures
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
Possible.
 Sources
Normal oral flora. Cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol.
Supplemental References
BMBL:
 https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
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
0.5% sodium hypochlorite (1:10 bleach:water), 70% ethanol.
Inactivation
Inactivated by moist heat (60 minutes at 121oC) and dry heat (1 hour at 160-170oC)
Survival Outside Host
None.
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.