Safety Data Sheet - Infectious Substances
Section I - Infectious Agent
Name: Adenovirus type C strain 5 and recombinant vectors based on Adenovirus 5.
Characteristics: Adenoviridae; non-enveloped, icosahedral virions, 75-80 nm diameter, double stranded, linear DNA genome. Virus is lytic.
Section II - Health Hazard
Pathogenicity: Wild type Adenovirus infection varies in clinical manifestation and severity; symptoms include fever, rhinitis, pharyngitis, cough and conjunctivitis. The risk from infection by defective recombinant adenoviral vectors depends both on the dose of virus and on the nature of the transgene. Adenovirus does not integrate into the host cell genome but can produce a strong immune response.
Host Range: Humans are the natural reservoir for wild type Adenovirus 5. Recombinant Adenovirus vectors infect a variety of mammalian cell types.
Mode of Transmission: Wild type virus is spread directly by oral contact and droplet spread; indirectly by handkerchiefs, eating utensils and other articles freshly soiled with respiratory discharge of an infected person. In the laboratory, care must be taken to avoid spread of infectious material by aerosol, direct contact or accidental injection.
Incubation Period: From 1-10 days.
Section III - Viability
Drug susceptibility: No specific anti-viral available. Susceptibility to Disinfectants: Susceptible to 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde. Recommend fresh solution of 10% bleach for 30 minutes.
Physical Inactivation: Sensitive to heat; 1 hour at 56 oC is used to inactivate virus.
Survival Outside of Host: Adenovirus has been reported to survive 3-8 weeks on environmental surfaces at room temperature.
Section IV - Medical
Surveillance: Pre-employment serum samples banked. Monitor for symptoms; confirm infection by serological analysis or viral culture. First Aid/Treatment: For splashes to the eye of material containing virus, rinse eye at eyewash for 15 minutes then report to hospital emergency room (UCSD - Jacobs Medical Center or Hillcrest) for evaluation. A serum sample should be taken as soon as possible (at UCSD this is done by Occupational Health, phone 274-6206). In the case of accidental injection of material containing virus, wash area well with soap and water then contact office of Occupational Health for advice, evaluation and serum sample. At UCSD, notify supervisor and EH&S as soon as possible after exposure. Supportive therapy is indicated for symptoms of suspected infections.
Immunization: None available.
Prophylaxis: None available.
Section V - Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory- acquired infections: Rare cases reported in laboratories working with clinical specimens.
Sources/Specimens: Respiratory secretions. Theoretical risk from exposure to laboratory cultures of wild type virus or recombinant virus.
Primary Hazards: Ingestion, droplet exposure of the mucous membranes, direct injection.
Special Hazards: Contact with feces or urine from infected animals for 72 hours post infection.
Section VI - Recommended Precautions
Containment Requirements: Biosafety level 2 plus UCSD Adeno special practices and BSL 2 containment facilities for all activities involving the virus, recombinant virus vectors, and potentially infectious body fluids or tissues. Protective Clothing: Laboratory coat, gloves, N-95 mask, goggles.
Section VII - Handling Information
Spills: Allow aerosols to settle for 15 minutes; wear protective clothing and gently cover the spill with adsorbent paper towel and apply freshly prepared 10% sodium hypochlorite starting at the perimeter and working towards the center; allow at least 30 minutes contact time before clean up.
Disposal: Decontaminate all wastes before disposal; steam sterilization, incineration, chemical disinfection. At UCSD contaminated material may be sealed in labeled, doubled, red biohazard bags and transported in covered, leak proof containers to BFI disposal bins for eventual incineration.
Storage: In sealed containers that are appropriately labeled and in approved locations for BSL 2 materials at -700C.
Transport: Material must be sealed in primary and secondary containers, appropriately labeled
Section VIII - Transgenes and Other Foreign Genetic Elements
Considerations: What is the replication status of your vector? In general, recombinant Ad 5 vectors produced in the Vector Development laboratory are replication incompetent. What is the nature of the transgene/s - are any potentially hazardous transgenes expressed, i.e.. toxins, oncogenes? Have any foreign elements been introduced which alter the specificity, host range, stability, or titer of the resulting vector?
It is imperative that those handling recombinant vectors consider both the nature of the virus used as a vector and the effects of any transgene, introduced genetic elements, or other modification.
Prepared by UCSD Program in Human Gene Therapy staff. Reviewed by UCSD Office of Environmental Health Safety. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability of this information or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of this information. (written August 20, 1998)