Laboratory-acquired vaccinia virus infection in a recently immunized person--Massachusetts, 2013.
On November 26, 2013, the CDC poxvirus laboratory was notified by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) of an inadvertent inoculation of a recently vaccinated (ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine) laboratory worker with wild type vaccinia virus (VACV) Western Reserve. A joint investigation by CDC and BPHC confirmed orthopoxvirus infection in the worker, who had reported a needle stick in his thumb while inoculating a mouse with VACV. He experienced a non-tender, red rash on his arm, diagnosed at a local emergency department as cellulitis. He subsequently developed a necrotic lesion on his thumb, diagnosed as VACV infection. Three weeks after the injury, the thumb lesion was surgically debrided and at 2 months post-injury, the skin lesion had resolved. The investigation confirmed that the infection was the first reported VACV infection in the United States in a laboratory worker vaccinated according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. The incident prompted the academic institution to outline biosafety measures for working with biologic agents, such as biosafety training of laboratory personnel, vaccination (if appropriate), and steps in incident reporting. Though vaccination has been shown to be an effective measure in protecting personnel in the laboratory setting, this case report underscores the importance of proper safety measures and incident reporting.
Christopher H
CH
Hsu
Julien
J
Farland
Thomas
T
Winters
Julia
J
Gunn
Donna
D
Caron
Jennifer
J
Evans
Lynda
L
Osadebe
Leon
L
Bethune
Andrea M
AM
McCollum
Nishi
N
Patel
Kimberly
K
Wilkins
Whitni
W
Davidson
Brett
B
Petersen
M Anita
MA
Barry
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D059232:Laboratory Personnel; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D051379:Mice; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D018155:Orthopoxvirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011213:Poxviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D014615:Vaccinia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D012900:Smallpox Vaccine; D002437:Cefazolin