Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
serum banking due to legal constraints. If serum samples
are to be collected, a 5-ml serum sample for storage should
be obtained from all participants and stored in two equal
aliquots at 20
C. These samples may be taken upon
enrollment, on physical examination, for an illness that
may be job related (at the discretion of a physician), and at
termination of employment or work assignment with
nonhuman primates, if possible. Serum samples should be
stored for at least 1 year after the participant has left the
program. Some institutions keep samples indefinitely.
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of
the CDC. Boosters should be administered every 10 years
or as needed.
Rubeola (Measles) Prophylaxis
Measles has been transmitted to macaques in foreign and
domestic colonies over the past two decades. Because of
the devastating consequences associated with rubeola
infection in nonhuman primates, some institutions have
adopted the policy that all individuals working with
nonhuman primates should have documented proof of
immunity or should be vaccinated. This option should be
weighed in relation to the potential side effects of the
vaccine and the impact on future studies that may involve
the need for nonvaccinated nonhuman primates.
Tuberculosis Screening
All individuals anticipating contact with nonhuman
primates should have negative tuberculin skin test results or
otherwise have demonstrated that they are noninfectious
before having that contact. Tuberculin skin testing should
be administered to individuals without prior history of
a positive test (10 mm or greater induration at 48 hours) as a
normal part of the pre-employment physical examination and
every 6 months for people with nonhuman primate contact.
Chest X-rays should be required in the initial evaluation
of all who have a positive skin test reaction for the first
time. They are recommended for individuals with a history
of positive reactions (some may be due to prior BCG
administration) and those who have had no chest X-ray
evaluation during the previous 12 months.
Employees working with nonhuman primates who, on
initial examination or subsequent testing, are found to be
tuberculin reactors should have a chest X-ray at the time of the
first significant reaction, annually thereafter, and when clin-
ically indicated. They should have thorough medical evalu-
ations at each of these times and prophylactic therapy when
indicated. Persons with nonhuman primate contact who are
determined to be tuberculin converters should be prohibited
from any contact with nonhuman primates until they have
received appropriate medical evaluation and/or treatment.
Rabies Prophylaxis
Rabies immunization should be offered to individuals
working with nonhuman primates in quarantine.
Hepatitis Prophylaxis
If chimpanzees, African green monkeys, owl monkeys,
marmosets, tamarins, or nonhuman primates experimen-
tally infected with hepatitis viruses are cared for or used at
an institution, a major component of the model occupa-
tional health program should cover hepatitis. Hepatitis A
and B vaccinations should be offered; there is no current
hepatitis C vaccine.
Other
Smallpox
If recombinant DNA vaccinia studies are conducted in
nonhuman primates, workers should be vaccinated for
smallpox if they meet the criteria provided in the CDC
guidlines. The CDC is the only source for this vaccine.
Rubella
To prevent people from transmitting this virus to nonhuman
primates, workers should be immune to rubella. This is
usually accomplished by administration of
Immunizations
The first line of defense for personnel exposed to
nonhuman primates with infectious agents is immuniza-
tion, if available. The immune status of all people who are
to come in contact with infected animals or their biological
specimens should be evaluated prior to the introduction of
a new study agent. Those who are not already immune can
be vaccinated if a vaccine is available and if the institu-
tional occupational health officials recommend vaccination
after a thorough risk assessment has been performed.
the MMR
(measles
e
mumps
e
rubella) vaccine.
Herpesvirus Simiae
If macaque monkeys are cared for or used at an institution,
a major component of the model occupational health
program should be about herpes B.
Herpesvirus Saimiri
If squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.) are cared for or used at
an institution, a component of the model occupational
health program should be about H. saimiri.
Tetanus Prophylaxis
Immunization with tetanus toxoid should be in accordance
with recommendations of
the Public Health Service
