Laboratory-acquired infections in Canada from 2016 to 2021

Thumbnail image

Download files

DOI

https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i78a02

Language of the publication
English
Date
2022
Type
Accepted manuscript
Author(s)
  • El Jaouhari, Maryem
  • Striha, Megan
  • Edjoc, Rojiemiahd
  • Bonti-Ankomah, Samuel
Publisher
The Public Health Agency of Canada

Abstract

Laboratory incidents that result in an exposure to human pathogens and toxins can lead to laboratory-acquired infections or intoxications (LAIs). These infections can pose a risk to the public as well, should person-to-person transmission occur outside the laboratory after an LAI. Understanding factors that contribute to exposure incidents involving LAIs may contribute to ways to mitigate future occurrences to ensure the safety of laboratory workers and the communities in which they work. This paper describes nine exposure incidents resulting in LAIs that occurred in Canada from 2016 to 2021. Of the nine cases, most affected people had both high level of education and years of experience working with pathogens. There were varying laboratory types and activities where Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli accounted for six out of the nine cases. Procedural issues, personal protective equipment issues and sharp-related incidents were the most cited root causes. From this information, it is clear that regular training (even of experienced staff), clear and accurate standard operating procedures, proper hygiene (especially with Salmonella spp. and E. coli) and recognition of exposure incidents at the time of occurrence are important in preventing future LAIs. Only regulated laboratories working with risk group 2 or higher organisms are required to report exposures and LAIs to the Laboratory Incident Notification Canada surveillance system. Because of the small sample size, results and inferences are based on descriptive analyses only.

Subject

  • Health

Keywords

  • laboratory-acquired infection,
  • LAI,
  • laboratory exposures,
  • human pathogens and toxins

Rights

Pagination

303-307

Peer review

Yes

Open access level

Green

Identifiers

ISSN
1481-8531

Article

Journal title
Canada Communicable Disease Report
Journal volume
48
Journal issue
7/8

Citation(s)

El Jaouhari M, Striha M, Edjoc R, Bonti-Ankomah S. Laboratory-acquired infections in Canada from 2016 to 2021. Can Commun Dis Rep 2022;48(7/8):303–7. https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v48i78a02

Download(s)

URI

Collection(s)

Communicable diseases

Full item page

Full item page

Page details

Date modified: