Researcher Information
Sharoni Michal
sharonim@mit.edu (123) 456-7890
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
Borrelia burgdorferi
RG 2
Bacteria
Yes          
Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete that is transmitted to humans by tick bite and causes Lyme disease.
HumansAnimalstick
Cut/ Needlestick / Non-intact skinTick bite
Dose unknown but transmission usually requires the tick to be attached for 36-48 hours. Incubation time is 3-32 days after tick bite.
Health Hazards
Lyme disease. Local site of tick bite - erythema migrans (red bullseye rash).  Also common are fatigue, anorexia (lack of appetite), headache, neck stiffness, myalgias (body aches), and arthralgias (joint pain). Can lead to neurologic, cardiac, and ocular disease.
Non available
Aim at avoidance of tick bites or to limit attachment time by screening after visiting an area with Ixodes ticks (Northeast US and Europe). Infection is uncommon if the tick is removed within 72 hours (often a tick is never seen).
Antibiotic treatment is effective. Doxycycline, Amoxicillin, or Cefuroxime.
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)
Autoclave, 30 minutes
Does not survive long outside of a host. Infected guinea pig blood - 28 to 35 days at room temperature; survives for short periods in urine; can survive up to 48 days at 4°C in human blood processed for transfusion.
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 Borrelia burgdorferi.
Biosafety cabinet recommended for procedures that can generate aerosols or splashes, Minimize use of sharps
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
References
Created on June  6, 2022 at  2:51 PM (EDT). Last updated by Sharoni, Michal on Nov. 19, 2025 at 10:31 AM (EST). Owned by Marketon, Melanie.
Melanie Marketon
Michal Sharoni
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