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Characteristics
Morphology Facultative anaerobic cocobacillus, gram-positive, rod-shaped or elliptical bacteria found as individual elements, in pairs or short chains.
Disease

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in the world, with A. vaginae detected in 75% of women with BV. About 50% of patients with bacterial vaginosis are asymptomatic.
Zoonosis

None reported.
Health Hazards
Host Range Humans.
Modes of Transmission
Sexual contact and cervical and vaginal discharge.
Signs and Symptoms 

The clinical manifestations are variable: increase in vaginal discharge of grayish or whitish color, milky consistency, fishy smell vaginal burning, dysuria and dyspareunia. Itching sensation, burning, pain is also reported, which can be confused with other causes of vaginitis. Usually there are no signs of inflammation and the cervix is normal.
Infectious Dose  unknown
Incubation Period   unknown
Medical Precautions/Treatment
Prophylaxis
Unknown.
Vaccines
None available.
Treatment Clindamycin and metronidazole
Surveillance
Monitor for symptoms. Diagnosis can be confirmed by microbial culture and PCR.
MSU Requirements
Report any exposures.
Laboratory Hazards
Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs)
None have been reported.
 Sources
Vaginal discharge fluid. Cultures, frozen stocks, other samples described in IBC protocol.
Supplemental References
BMBL
 https://www.cdc.gov/labs/bmbl/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/labs/BMBL.html
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/bv.htm
NIH Guidlines
https://osp.od.nih.gov/wp-content/uploads/NIH_Guidelines.pdf
Risk Group & Containment Requirements
Risk Group 2

Agents that are associated with human disease which is rarely serious and for which preventive or therapeutic interventions are often available.
BSL2
For all procedures involving suspected or known infectious specimen or cultures.
ABSL2
For all procedures utilizing infected animals.
Spill Procedures
Small
Notify others working in the lab. Remove PPE and don new PPE. Cover area of the spill with absorbent material and add fresh 1:10 bleach:water. Allow 20 munutes (or as directed) of contact time. After 20 minutes, cleanup and dispose of materials.
Large
  • Immediately notify all personnel in the lab and clear all personnel from the area. Remove any contaminated PPE/clothing and leave the lab. 
  • Secure the area by locking doors, posting signage and guarding the area to keep people out of the space. 
For assistance, contact MSU's Biosafety Officer (406-994-6733) or Safety and Risk Management (406-994-2711).
Exposure Procedures
Mucous membrane
Flush eyes, mouth, or nose for 5 minutes at eyewash station.
Other Exposures
Wash area with soap and water for 5 minutes.
Reporting
Immediately report incident to supervisor, complete a First Report of Injury form, and submit to Safety and Risk Management.
Medical Follow-up
During business hours: Bridger Occupational Health 3406 Laramie Drive. Weekdays 8am -6pm.  Weekends 9am-5pm
After business hours: Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Emergency Room 915 Highland Blvd Bozeman, MT
Viability
Disinfection
0.5% sodium hypochlorite (1:10 bleach:water), 70% ethanol
Inactivation
moist heat (15 minutes at 121oC) and dry heat (1 hour at 160-170oC).
Survival Outside Host
Unknown.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Minimum PPE Requirements
Lab coat, disposable gloves, safety glasses, closed toed shoes, long pants
Additional Precautions
 Additioanl PPE may be required depending on lab specific SOPs and IBC Protocol.