title: Expert opinion: what to do when there is Coccidioides exposure in a laboratory.
abstract: Inadvertent exposure to Coccidioides species by laboratory staff and others as a result of a mishap is not an uncommon cause of infection in clinical microbiology laboratories. These types of infection may occur in laboratories outside the endemic areas, because the etiologic agent is unexpected in the submitted specimens and because personnel may be unfamiliar with the hazards of dealing with Coccidioides species in the laboratory. Coccidioidal infections are often difficult to treat, and outcomes can be poor. Here, we emphasize prevention and an approach to a laboratory accident that minimizes the risk of exposure to laboratory staff and staff in adjacent areas. On the basis of an artificially large exposure to arthroconidia that may occur as a result of a laboratory accident, a conservative approach of close observation and early treatment of exposed staff is discussed.
authors: Department of Medicine, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California 95128-2699, USA. stevens@stanford.edu
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Stevens
authors: Karl V
authors: KV
authors: Clemons
authors: Hillel B
authors: HB
authors: Levine
authors: Demosthenes
authors: D
authors: Pappagianis
authors: Ellen Jo
authors: EJ
authors: Baron
authors: John R
authors: JR
authors: Hamilton
authors: Stanley C
authors: SC
authors: Deresinski
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Johnson
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards; D003045:Coccidioides; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D008829:Microbiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors