Page 606 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

Glossary

Arthropod – Invertebrate animals of the phylum regional diagnostic laboratories are designated
Arthropoda, characterized by an exoskeleton as BSL 1 and BSL 2.
made of chitin and a segmented body with pairs
of jointed appendages. Arthropods include the • Biosafety Risk Group 1: This includes
insects (that is, lice, flies, mosquitoes) and agents that are not associated with disease
arachnids (that is, ticks and mites), and are the in healthy adult humans. The work prac-
largest phylum in the animal kingdom. Some tices in BSL 1 facilities are based on standard
species of arthropods have the potential to microbiological practices. A representative
transmit pathogenic microorganisms from one microorganism manipulated in this type of
animal host to another, the term ‘vector’ is used laboratory is non-pathogenic Escherichia coli.
for these arthropods and the diseases that they • Biosafety Risk Group 2: This includes
transmit are known as ‘vector borne diseases’, agents that are associated with human disease
examples include Blue tongue virus (transmitted but which are rarely serious and preventive or
by Culicoides sp. midges), West Nile virus (trans- therapeutic interventions are available. The
mitted by Culex spp., Culiseta spp. and other work practices in BSL 2 facilities are as above
but include limited access, posting of biohaz-
mosquitoes) and Lyme disease (transmitted by ard warning signs, use of sharps precautions
Ixodes spp. and other ticks).
and requirement for a biosafety manual
Biosafety – The application of knowledge, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
equipment and techniques to prevent personal, defining waste decontamination and health
laboratory and environmental exposure to poten- monitoring policies. Additional safety equip-
tially infectious agents or biohazards. Biosafety ment would include class I or II biological
requirements determine the containment condi- safety cabinets or other physical containment
tions under which infectious agents can be safely devices to be used for all manipulations of
manipulated. The objective of containment is to infectious agents that cause splashes or
confine biohazards, to ensure biosecurity, and aerosols of infectious materials. Personal pro-
to reduce the potential exposure of laboratory tective equipment (laboratory coat, gloves,
workers, the public, and the environment to face and eye protection) is also required.
potentially infectious agents. Representative microorganisms include most
Based on the Centre for Disease Control of the Salmonellae and Toxoplasma.
(CDC) guidelines, there are four levels of Bio- • Biosafety Risk Group 3: This includes
containment (BSL1–4) to deal with pathogens agents that are associated with serious human
in the four main risk groups (see below). Most disease for which there are therapeutic inter-

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