[en] The present document aims at summarizing the biosafety recommendations and the containment level
required for laboratories where animal and human tissues potentially contaminated by a TSE
(Transmissible Spongiform Encephalitis) causing agent are manipulated. A particular attention will be
paid to decontamination procedures, as the prion protein1 is remarkably resistant to conventional
inactivation methods and may stay infectious for long periods of time. We will discuss large surface
decontamination procedures of facilities handling TSE causing agents. This is of specific concern for
laboratories that have been manipulating TSE causing agents, sometimes for years, but wish today
dedicate the facilities to another activity.
Disciplines :
Microbiology
Author, co-author :
Leunda-Casi, A.
Pauwels, K.; Scientific Institute of Public Health > Division of Biosafety and Biotechnology
Herman, Philippe; Scientific Institute of Public Health > Division of Biosafety and Biotechnology
Verheust, C.; Scientific Institute of Public Health > Division of Biosafety and Biotechnology
Zorzi, Willy ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Histologie
Thellin, Olivier ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Histologie
Roels, Stefan; Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre > NRL for Veterinary TSE
Van Vaerenbergh, B.; Scientific Institute of Public Health > Division of Biosafety and Biotechnology
Language :
English
Title :
Risk assessment of laboratories involving the manipulation of unconventional agents causing TSE
Publication date :
2009
Publisher :
Institut Scientifique de Santé Publique, Brussels, Belgium
