Researcher Information
Medeiros James
jamesmedeiros@hsph.harvard.edu (12) 345-6789
The information provided below is for MIT researchers' use and is subject to change by EHS. For our legal disclaimer please see - http://ehs.mit.edu/site/content/legal-disclaimer
Agent Characteristics
Burkholderia pseudomallei
Attenuated strain p82
RG 3
Bacteria
Yes     Yes      
Aerobic nonmotile gram negative bacteria 
HumansHorses
Aerosol / InhalationCut/ Needlestick / Non-intact skinMucous Membranes
Infectious dose: Unknown. Incubation time: 1-14 days
Health Hazards
Infections are known as Melioidosis or Whitmore�s Disease.  Most common clinical manifestations are pneumonia and localized skin infection.  Acute symptoms of pneumonia include high fever, cough, sputum, chills, rigors, and respiratory distress.  Typical skin lesions are ulcers and abscesses.  Frequently bacteremia (bloodstream infection) and sepsis are present with varying symptoms to include fever, headache, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, seizures and potential central nervous system (brain) inflammation.  Infections can be fatal especially in those with underlying medical conditions.
None available
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with antimicrobial therapy may be indicated especially a in high-risk incident.
Antibiotic treatment generally starts with intravenous (within a vein) antimicrobial therapy for a minimum of 2 weeks (up to 8 weeks depending on the extent of infection), followed by 3–6 months of oral antimicrobial therapy.
Containment
BSL 2
ABSL2
Viability
10% household bleach (~0.5% sodium hypochlorite)70% ethanolActivated hydrogen peroxide (PREempt, Rescue)Quaternary ammonia (Quatricide, sklar, Lysol spray, etc.)Phenolic (Vesphene II)hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid (Peridox)Fresh 2% glutaraldehyde (Gluterate / CIDEX)
Heating at 55°C for 10 min.Autoclave at 121 °C for 30 min.
Survives in soil and water for years
PPE/Containment
Wear gloves, lab coat, and appropriate lab attire (pants/long dress, closed toed shoes); eye protection, e.g. safety glasses, safety goggles recommended for liquids. Additional PPE may be required depending on lab specific SOPs for handling Burkholderia pseudomallei.
Work in a Biosafety cabinet is mandatory, Minimize use of sharps, use centrifuge lids or safety cups.
Spill Procedures
Notify others working in the lab.  Allow aerosols to settle. Don appropriate PPE.  Cover area of the spill with paper towels and apply an EPA approved disinfectant, working from the perimeter towards the center.  Allow 10 minutes of contact time. Cleanup spill materials and dispose as biowaste. Surface disinfect 5-10 minutes. Remove PPE and wash hands.
For large volume spills or biological spills in a public area, contact MIT's Biosafety Program or the EHS office (617-452-3477) during normal business hours.  If the spill occurs after hours or on weekends, activate the EHS ON CALL system by dialing Operations 3-4948 (617-253-4948) or MIT Police by dialing 100 from a campus phone or 617-253-1212 from a mobile phone.
Exposure Procedures
Flush eyes, mouth, or nose for 15 minutes at eyewash station.
Wash area with soap and water and rinse/scrub for 5-10 minutes.
Immediately report incident to supervisor, PI, or EHS Representative. PI/supervisor must submit incident report in Atlas within 24 hours.
Medical Follow-up
9:00am-4:00pm, weekdays:
contact MIT Occupational Health:
Phone: 617-253-8552
Address: 25 Carleton Street, Building E23, Cambridge, MA 02142
website		 8:00am-8:00pm, weekdays
10:00am-4:00pm, weekends
MIT Health Urgent Care
phone: 617-253-1311
address: 25 Carleton Street, Building E23, Cambridge, MA 02142
Or call MIT Police 617-253-1212		 Emergencies:
Call 100 from a campus phone or
617-253-1212 from a mobile phone
Additional comments
This is a risk group 3 but because this is an attenuated strain it can be approved by NIH for work in BSL 2 containment.  The non-attenuated strain is a select agent
References
Created on Sept. 13, 2021 at 10:53 AM (EDT). Last updated by Zhong, Lu on Nov. 19, 2025 at  5:27 PM (EST). Owned by Sharoni, Michal.
Michal Sharoni
Lu Zhong
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