Review on Biosafety and Laboratory-Acquired Infections: Mvsc Seminar

Research with pathogenic agents, such as bacteria, virus, parasites, fungi and rickettsia, or genetically modified organisms, has generated concern because of their potential biological risk to people and the environment. Hence the laboratory workers are highly prone to pathogenic microorganisms due to the nature of their work and may develop laboratory-acquired infections. Brucella, mycobacterium, salmonella and Shigella are the most common causes of laboratory acquired bacterial infections. Similarly, the hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV), and the dimorphic fungi are accountable for the utmost number of viral and fungalassociated LAIs. These biolological agents are classified into four based on their relative risk to laboratory workers and the community. There are also containment levels 1 through 4 based on infectivity, severity and transmissibility of agents, and the nature of the work being conducted. Accidental inhation, inoculation and ingestion of biological agents are the main routes of transmission of LAIs. Even though they can pose great public health threats, there was no systematic reporting of laboratory-acquired infections. The reporting is mostly depending on the voluntary of the exposed individuals. As a result, there was no accurate number of LAIs. Laboratory biosafety is used to run the analysis of specimens safely and consequently protect the people and the environment from biological hazards.