ABSTRACT
As many emerging human infections are caused by viruses, laboratory-acquired viral infection will become more common. However, additional knowledges is needed, including actual incidence, disinfectant, and prevention. Although the general biosafety principles of viruses do not differ from those of other microorganisms, biosafety guidelines and programs are not immutable and could vary according to virus and laboratory environment. Most laboratory-acquired viral infections reported in the literature were caused by violation of biosafety principles.
Subject(s)
Humans , Incidence , Laboratory Infection , Occupational Diseases , Virus DiseasesABSTRACT
The quality control process throughout the Ebola virus nucleic acid detection in Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biological Safety Laboratory (SLE-CHN Biosafety Lab) was described in detail, in order to comprehensively display the scientific, rigorous, accurate and efficient practice in detection of Ebola virus of first batch detection team in SLE-CHN Biosafety Lab. Firstly, the key points of laboratory quality control system was described, including the managements and organizing, quality control documents and information management, instrument, reagents and supplies, assessment, facilities design and space allocation, laboratory maintenance and biosecurity. Secondly, the application of quality control methods in the whole process of the Ebola virus detection, including before the test, during the test and after the test, was analyzed. The excellent and professional laboratory staffs, the implementation of humanized management are the cornerstone of the success; High-level biological safety protection is the premise for effective quality control and completion of Ebola virus detection tasks. And professional logistics is prerequisite for launching the laboratory diagnosis of Ebola virus. The establishment and running of SLE-CHN Biosafety Lab has landmark significance for the friendship between Sierra Leone and China, and the lab becomes the most important base for Ebola virus laboratory testing in Sierra Leone.
Subject(s)
Humans , China , Ebolavirus , Classification , Genetics , Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola , Diagnosis , Virology , Laboratories , Workforce , Reference Standards , Laboratory Infection , Quality Control , RNA, Viral , Genetics , Sierra LeoneABSTRACT
Objetivo: analizar microrganismos presentes en las superficies inertes, que representen un riesgo para la salud de los estudiantes. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, exploratorio y transversal realizado en el periodo febrero- julio de 2012. Se efectuó en un muestreo aleatorio utilizando el método del hisopo y se obtuvieron 72 muestras. Las unidades de análisis fueron mesas, microscopios y charolas por considerarse superficies de mayor contacto con alumnos. Resultados: se encontraron hongos en el 100 por ciento de los cultivos realizados y bacterias en el 66 por ciento. De estas, el 25 por ciento (12) correspondieron a bacterias de flora normal, el 62,5 por ciento (30) a bacterias oportunistas y 12,5 por ciento (6) a bacterias patógenas. Conclusión: las mesas y los microscopios de los laboratorios de enseñanza se encuentran contaminados por hongos y bacterias como Salmonella paratyphi A y Salmonella sp que constituyen un riesgo de infección para los estudiantes que realizan prácticas educativas(AU)
Objective: analyze microorganisms present on inert surfaces which represent a health hazard for students. Methods: an observational cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted from February to July 2012. Random sampling was performed using the swab method. Seventy-two samples were obtained. The study surfaces were tables, microscopes and trays, i.e. the surfaces most commonly touched by students. Results: fungi were found in 100 percent of the cultures. Bacteria were found in 66%. Of the latter, 25 percent (12) were normal flora bacteria, 62.5 percent (30) were opportunistic, and 12.5 (6) were pathogenic. Conclusion: tables and microscopes in teaching laboratories were contaminated with fungi and bacteria such as Salmonella paratyphi A and Salmonella sp., which constitutes an infection hazard for students doing laboratory practice(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Bacteriological Techniques/methods , Laboratory Infection/prevention & control , Bacterial Infections and Mycoses/epidemiology , Germ Theory of DiseaseABSTRACT
Human brucellosis is an occupational disease affecting workers in slaughterhouses, butcher shops and the milk and dairy product industry as well as individuals who work in clinical or research laboratories. We report the first outbreak of a Brucella abortus infection in a Brazilian laboratory and compare the data obtained with reports available in the literature. Exposure was a result of damage to a biological safety cabinet and failure of the unidirectional airflow ventilation system. An epidemiological investigation identified 3 seroconverted individuals, 1 of whom had clinical manifestations and laboratory results compatible with infection at the time of exposure (n=11; attack rate=9.1%).
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Accidents, Occupational , Brucella abortus/immunology , Brucellosis/epidemiology , Laboratory Infection/epidemiology , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Brazil/epidemiology , Brucellosis/diagnosis , Brucellosis/immunology , Disease Outbreaks , Laboratory Infection/diagnosis , Laboratory Infection/immunology , Medical Laboratory PersonnelABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>By analyzing the status and characteristics of vaccinia virus laboratory-acquired infections in the bibliographical information, this paper provides relevant recommendations and measures for prevention and control of vaccinia virus laboratory-acquired infections in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Choosing PubMed, Embase, Biosis and SCIE, SSCI, CPCI-S as well as CPCI-SSH covered by Web of Science as the data source, indexing the bibliography of vaccinia virus laboratory-acquired infections, this paper analyzes the information on whether to vaccinate, the occurrence time of symptoms, diseasedparts, symptom characteristics and the disease-causing reasons.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The outcome shows that 52. 9% of the cases never get vaccinated, 82.4% engaged in vaccinia virus related researches never get vaccinated in 10 years, 52. 9% get infected by the accidental needlestick in hands during the process of handling animal experiments, 70. 6% of infections occur in the hands and having symptoms after being exposed with an average of 5. 1 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Although it is still controversial that whether or not to be vaccinated before carrying out vaccinia virus related works, it should be important aspects of prevention and control of vaccinia virus laboratory-acquired infections with the strict compliance with the operating requirements of the biosafety, by strengthening personal protection and timely taking emergency measures when unforeseen circumstances occur, as well as providing the research background information to doctors.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , China , Laboratory Infection , Virology , Needlestick Injuries , Virology , Occupational Exposure , Vaccinia , Virology , Vaccinia virusABSTRACT
Laboratory-acquired infections are rarely diagnosed and reported. Brucella species are highly contagious when handled in the laboratory. Therefeore, brucellosis is one of the most common laboratory-acquired bacterial infections. Laboratory workers get infected by either inhalation or by direct contact through the injured skin. We present a case of laboratory-acquired brucellosis [LAB] caused by Brucella melitensis. In conclusion, despite the enforcement of infection control measures, including the use of biosafety cabinet in the laboratory, laboratory-acquired brucellosis still maintains its importance because of infected sample handling by the workers
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Laboratory Infection , Infection Control , Bacterial InfectionsABSTRACT
Una bacterióloga sufrió un accidente por punción con una aguja con jeringa que contenía una cepa de Mycobacterium tuberculosis en un dedo de la mano. La zona de la punción se inflamó y la expresión del dedo 15 días después del accidente arrojó una gota de pus que puesta al microscopio permitió observar 3 bacilos ácido-alcohol resistentes con la técnica de Ziehl-Neelsen. Se diagnosticó tuberculosis por inoculación accidental y fue tratada como tal. Se discuten las características de este caso encuadrado como tuberculosis cutánea, cuando se produce como infección exógena por inoculación directa.
A bacteriologist suffered a puncture accident while manipulating a Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain, affecting a finger. The involved area swelled and a drop of pus came out after pressure on the finger 15 days afterwards. This was stained by Ziehl-Neelsen technique, and three acid-fast bacilli were observed. Tuberculosis was diagnosed, and proper treatment was started. We discuss the case, classified as cutaneous tuberculosis produced by exogenous infection through accidental direct inoculation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adult , Female , Laboratory Infection/etiology , Tuberculosis, Cutaneous/etiology , Laboratory Infection/drug therapy , Needles , Punctures , Tuberculin Test , Tuberculosis, Cutaneous/drug therapyABSTRACT
The effectiveness of clinical parameters in the evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi infection was analyzed in male Swiss mice at 8 weeks old Animals were divided into HG (healthy) and IG (1400 trypomastigotes, intraperitoneally, Y strain - Trypanosoma cruzi). Quantitative and qualitative parameters were evaluated in non-consecutive days in the period, from 7th-11th and 15th-18th days of infection. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between both groups in both periods regarding water consumption, abdominal circumference and weight. The second group presented differences in amount of excreta, body temperature, move-up and mortality. There was no difference (P>0.05) between the groups in food consumption, exploration of self-cleaning and skin staining. The fecal feature differed between the groups in the second period. The occurrence of isolation was not practical. Differences were observed in the hair between groups, although the parameter had been interfered by fights between animals. The consumption of water, feed, excreta production, characteristic of the faeces, body temperature, abdominal circumference, move up, weight and mortality parameters are easy to be measured and effective in clinical differentiation of healthy mice infected with T. cruzi, elected in protocols for clinical study with mice, which is the first work to gather information of qualitative and quantitative clinical parameters evaluated in these animals.
Analisou-se a eficiência de parâmetros clínicos na avaliação da infecção pelo Trypanosoma cruzi em camundongos suíços, machos de 8 semanas. Os grupos foram divididos em GS (sadios) e GI (1400 tripomastigotas, intraperitoneal, cepa Y - Trypanosoma cruzi). Avaliaram-se parâmetros quantitativos e qualitativos em dias não consecutivos nos períodos, 7º-11º e 15º-18º dias de infecção. Observaram-se diferenças (P<0.05) significativas entre os grupos, nos dois períodos: consumo de água, circunferência abdominal e peso; apenas no segundo período: quantidade de excretas, temperatura corporal, movimento-levantar e mortalidade. Não houve diferença (P>0.05) entre os grupos: consumo de ração, exploração de auto-limpeza e coloração da pele. As fezes diferiram entre os grupos no segundo período. A ocorrência de isolamento não se mostrou prática. Diferenças no pêlo foram observadas entre os grupos, embora o parâmetro sofra interferência de brigas entre os animais. O consumo de água, ração, produção de excretas, característica das fezes, temperatura corporal, circunferência abdominal, movimento-levantar, peso e mortalidade são parâmetros fáceis de serem medidos e eficientes na diferenciação da clínica de camundongos sadios e infectados pelo T. cruzi, eleitos para protocolos de estudos clínicos com camundongos, sendo este o primeiro trabalho a reunir informações de parâmetros clínicos qualitativos e quantitativos avaliados nesses animais.
Subject(s)
Animals , Mice , /analysis , Laboratory Infection/veterinary , Trypanosoma cruzi/metabolism , Chagas Disease/diagnosis , Chagas Disease/prevention & control , Signs and Symptoms/veterinaryABSTRACT
É grande a importância da radiologia na obtenção de diagnósticos e para definição da estratégia de tratamento a ser adotada pelo dentista. Entretanto, para execução destes procedimentos é necessário que o profissional responsável pela radiografia manipule o filme na boca do paciente, ocasionando o contato da saliva com o equipamento e com o profissional também, que pode vir gerar infecção cruzada nos pacientes e demais membros da equipe...
Subject(s)
/analysis , Radiology/standards , Radiology/trends , Laboratory Infection/prevention & control , Peer Review, Health Care , Guidelines as Topic/methodsABSTRACT
In this paper we carried out a study about prevalence of the clinically significant coagulase negative staphylococcal (CNS) isolates found in an university hospital. Two hundred four CNS isolates from 191 patients obtained between the period of 1998 to 2002, were studied. About 27 percent (52/191) of the infection cases studied were confirmed as CNS-associated diseases. Blood stream infection (BSI) was the most frequent CNS associated-disease (25 percent; 13/52). The great majority of the BSI was verified in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The analysis of the 52 patients medical history showed that 85 percent of the BSI was acquired in hospital. Most of the CNS nosocomial infections were associated with the use of indwelling medical devices. The incidence of methicillin-resistance among significant CNS isolates was 38 percent. In this study, a high percentage of exogenous contaminant was verified (60 percent), indicating that contamination of clinical specimens during sample collection is critical.
Subject(s)
Humans , Animals , Gram-Negative Bacteria/isolation & purification , Cross-Sectional Studies , Coagulase/analysis , Coagulase/isolation & purification , Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections , Laboratory Infection , Staphylococcal Infections , Staphylococcus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcus/pathogenicity , Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures , Methods , Methods , VirulenceABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze and study types, infections routes and causes of global pathogenic microorganisms laboratory-acquired infections cases reported in the literatures from 2000 to 2009 and to discuss prevention and control strategies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) Pathological observation of hepatic specimens: hepatic tissue pathogenic microorganisms laboratory-acquired infections. Methods PubMed, Embase, Biosis and Webs of Science covering SCIE, SSCI, CPCI-S and CPCI-SSH are chosen as data sources, "laboratory-acquired (associated) infections" are searched as the key words to search laboratory-acquired infections literature published from 2000 to 2009, from which information and data are accessed to be collected, analyzed and researched.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There are 19 species of pathogenic microorganisms causing laboratory-acquired infections in the last 10 years, including 15 species of bacteria, accounting for 78.9%; 4 species of virus, accounting for 21.1%. There are 83 cases reported, of which there are 60 bacterial cases, accounting for 72.3%; and 23 virus cases, accounting for 27.7%. Ingestion and inhalation are main routes of infections, respectively accounting for 32.5% and 31.3%, which are mainly due to accidents, accounting for 47.0%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In recent years, pathogenic microbiology laboratory-acquired infections continue to occur, and it is mainly due to accidental infections, which expose laboratory workers' low sense of safety and deficient operation methods. Laboratory staff should strengthen their senses of safety and comply with safe operation procedures, which are still the key to prevent laboratory-acquired infections.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Bacterial Infections , Microbiology , Laboratory Infection , Microbiology , Virology , Occupational Exposure , Virus Diseases , VirologyABSTRACT
Este estudio analizó el efecto de la infección aguda con Trypanosoma cruzi sobre la histología del sistema nervioso central de ratas durante la gestación. Las ratas Wistar fueron infectadas por inoculación intraperitoneal de 5x10(4) tripanosomas sanguícolas de la cepa M/HOM/Bra/53/Y. Para obtener la preñez durante el ascenso de la parasitemia, las ratas en estrus del ciclo menstrual fueron apareadas con los machos a los 12 días posinfección (pi). Ratas vírgenes/infectadas, vírgenes/sanas y sanas/preñadas fueron usadas como controles. Altos niveles de parasitemia patente (PP), de 36 ± 2,9 a 55 ± 3,0 tripanosomas/mm³ de sangre en las ratas con 16 y 22 días de infección y con 6 y 12 días de gestación respectivamente fueron observados. La comparación de la PP entre las ratas infectadas/preñadas y vírgenes/infectadas fue significativa al 1 por ciento. A los 30 días pi las ratas fueron sacrificadas y el cerebro (C) y las regiones cervical (RC), torácica (RT), lumbar (RL) y sacra (RS) de la ME fueron fijadas en formalina al 10 por ciento, deshidratadas e incluidas con Paraplast. Los cortes de 7 μm coloreados con hematoxilina y eosina mostraron reacción inflamatoria de células polimorfonucleares, mononucleares y plasmocitos en contacto con los cuerpos neuronales del C de las ratas infectadas/preñadas. La comparación entre el número de linfocitos en los hemisferios derecho (HD) e izquierdo (HI) de 65 ± 6,3 y 48 ± 4,5 linfocitos en las ratas infectadas/preñadas y de 20 ± 2,0 y 13 ± 1,1 linfocitos en las ratas sanas/preñadas fue significativa (P<0,05). La comparación del número de linfocitos en los HD y HI de las ratas vírgenes/sanas vírgenes/infectadas no reveló diferencias. La disminución de motoneuronas (MN) de 35 ± 3,4 a 16 ± 1,7 en la RC, de 33 ± 3,1 a 21 ± 3,0 en la RT y de 31± 3,8 a 10 ± 1,8 en la RL, de la ME de las ratas infectadas/preñadas fue significativa (P<0,05) en comparación con el número de MN en la ME de las ratas sanas/preñadas....
This study analyzed the effect of acute infection with Trypanosoma cruzi on the histology of Central Nervous System (CNS) of rats during pregnancy. Wistar rats were infected by intraperitonealy inoculation of 5x10(4) blood trypomastigotes of the M/HOM/Bra/53/Y strain. To obtain pregnancies during the ascending phase of parasitemia, rats in estrus of its menstrual cycle were matched with males at days 12 after infection (pi). Virgin/infected, virgin/healthy and healthy/pregnant rats were used as controls. High levels of patent parasitemia (PP) of 36 ± 2.9 to 55 ± 3.0 tripanosomas/mm³ blood, were observed in rats between 16 and 22 infection days and between 6 and 12 pregnancy days respectively. The comparison of the PP between infected/ pregnant rats and virgin/infected rats was significant at 1 percent. At the 30 days pi rats were sacrificed. Brain (B) and regions cervical (CR), thoracic (TR), lumbar (LR) and sacra (SR) of Spinal cord (SC) samples were obtained and fixed in formalin to 10 percent, dehydrated and embedded in Paraplast. The sections (7 μm) stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin showed inflammatory reaction of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells and plasmocytes in contact with neurons of B of the infected/pregnant rats. The comparison between lymphocytes number in the right (HR) (65 ± 6.3) and left (HL) (48 ± 4.5) cerebral hemispheres of infected/pregnant rats and of 20 ± 2.0 and 13 ± 1.1 lymphocytes in healthy/pregnant rats was significant (P<0.05). The comparison between lymphocyte number in the HR y HL of the virgin/healthy rats and virgin/infected rats not showed differences. Motoneurons (MN) reduction of 35 ± 3.4 to 16 ± 1.7 in CR, of 33 ± 3.1 to 21 ± 3.0 in TR and of 31± 3.8 to 10 ± 1.8 in LR of the SC of infected/pregnant rats was significant (P<0.05), when they were compared with MN number in SC of healthy/pregnant rats. Reduction of MN of 53 ± 4.9 to 35 ± 3.4 in the CR and of 37 ± 3.3 to 22 ± 1.9 in the SR...
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Animals, Laboratory , Chagas Disease , Laboratory Infection , Spinal Cord/anatomy & histology , Central Nervous System/anatomy & histology , Trypanosoma cruziABSTRACT
En esta comunicación se dan a conocer los riesgos de bioseguridad inherentes a la actividad profesional del Tecnólogo Médico en el laboratorio de Histocitopatología, se recomiendan procedimientos adecuados y se presentan métodos para inactivar algunos efectos potenciales, haciendo hincapié en el uso de elementos de protección personal en la manipulación de los reactivos. Junto con la seguridad personal, la obtención de resultados fidedignos debe ser realizada acorde con las normas que rigen los distintos procesos y procesamientos de las muestras, de forma tal que estas cumplan con los requerimientos establecidos, tanto en el control como en la garantía de la calidad.
In this communication they occur to know the inherent risks of bio-security the professional activity the Medical Technologist in Histocytopathologic laboratory, recommend suitable procedures and methods appear to inactivate some potential effects, insisting on the use of elements of personal protection in the manipulation of the reagents Along with the personal security, the obtaining of trustworthy results must be realized in agreement with the norms that govern the different processes and processings from the samples, so that these fulfill the established requirements, as much in the control as in the guarantee of the quality.
Subject(s)
Humans , Laboratories/standards , Medical Laboratory Science , Quality Control , Security Measures , Cytological Techniques , Histological Techniques , Laboratory Infection/prevention & control , Pathology/methods , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
El presente manual tiene por objetivo dar pautas al personal de laboratoriopara reducir los riesgos ocupacionales ante las infecciones en el laboratorio, así como las que se puedan presentar en otros actores de la sociedad cercanos a trabajadores de la salud y asociadas a una mala práctica en los laboratorios donde se trabaje con agentes biológicos, especialmente con muestras o cepas que provengan de pacientes con probable meningitis o neumonía bacteriana.
Subject(s)
Humans , Protective Devices , Haemophilus influenzae , Laboratory Infection/prevention & control , Neisseria meningitidis , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/standardsABSTRACT
Debido a la emergencia y reemergencia de agentes infecciosos en los últimos años se procesan a diario en los laboratorios clínicos y de microbiología de salud gran número de muestras de material infeccioso que pueden ser peligrosas para el personal de los laboratorios, para otros trabajadores y para la comunidad. Es por ello que resulta importante capacitar al personal en materia de bioseguridad, para que las personas expuestas conozcan los riesgos a que están sometidas, los medios de protección a usar, y qué hacer en caso de accidente. En encuesta realizada a trabajadores de laboratorios se ha detectado escasa cultura en este tema, y los accidentes registrados con más frecuencia fueron: el derrame de material infeccioso, la rotura de tubos con cultivo y los pinchazos con agujas de jeringas. Resulta de interés realizar capacitación en cascada según el nivel de los trabajadores, e incluir a los directivos de las unidades, que son los máximos responsables de la seguridad biológica en estas.
Subject(s)
Humans , Primary Health Care/standards , Chemical Contamination , Containment of Biohazards , Laboratory Infection/prevention & control , Laboratories, Hospital , Risk Management , Security MeasuresABSTRACT
El nivel 4 de bioseguridad para manejo de animales de experimentación debe utilizarse para trabajar con microorganismos exóticos de alta peligrosidad, capaces de producir infecciones graves y hasta mortales en el personal, transmitidos por aerosol y agentes relacionados con riesgos de transmisión desconocida. Para todas las actividades a este nivel se requieren combinación de prácticas especiales, equipos de seguridad y requisitos de las instalaciones del Nivel 4 para manejo de animales de experimentación.
Subject(s)
Animals , Bacterial Infections , Fungi , Laboratory Infection , Mycoplasma Infections , Parasites , Viruses , Microbiology , VenezuelaABSTRACT
Com o objetivo de evitar a transmissão de doenças infecciosas, medidas que visem o controle de infecção cruzada devem ser adotadas pelos cirurgiões dentistas, auxiliares odontológicos e técnicos de laboratório. Este estudo investigou as condutas de rotina adotadas pelos técnicos para prevenir a contaminação cruzada no laboratório de prótese. Foram coletados informações referentes à desinfecção de moldes e outros itens protéticos. Questionários foram aplicados verbalmente a 131 profissionais pelo mesmo entrevistador. Entre os técnicos entrevistados, 17 eram mulheres (13%) e 114 eram homens (87%). Os resultados revelaram que 51% dos técnicos frequentaram um curso técnico. Cinqüenta e quatro por cento dos técnicos praticavam a profissão por mais de 20 anos; 13,1%, entre 15 e 20 anos; 8,5%, entre 11 e 15 anos; 16,9% entre 5 e 10 anos e 7,7% iniciaram suas atividades nos últimos 5 anos. De acordo com os resultados, 88% dos entrevistados enxaguavam rotineiramente os moldes com água. Com relação aos procedimentos adotados quando uma prótese é recebida no laboratório para polimento e acabamento, foram obtidos os seguintesresultados: 79,2% dos técnicos somente lavavam a prótese em água corrente, 10,8% realizavam o polimento sem medidas profiláticas, 9,2% desinfetavam a prótese e 0,8% não responderam. Embora grande parte dos entrevistados estivesse consciente da transmissão de infecções virais ebacterianas, os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que há a necessidade de maior motivação e instrução aos técnicos para a prevenção de contaminação cruzada durante o envio e o recebimento de trabalhos protéticos entre o laboratório de prótese e o consultório odontológico.
Subject(s)
Environmental Pollution , Infection Control, Dental , Disinfection , Laboratory Infection , Dental TechniciansABSTRACT
El objetivo principal de este primer módulo es de familiarizar a los profesionales de laboratorio con el problema de la infecció intrahospitalaria y proporcionarle los insturmentos necesarios para jugar el rol que le corresponde en el contexto hospitalario.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Cross Infection , Hospital Mortality , Infections , Laboratories, Hospital , Laboratory Infection , BoliviaABSTRACT
El motivo de éste trabajo es desarrollar y utilizar un tipo de variable operativa que se pueda aplicar a la evaluación de los riesgos ocasionados por agentes biológicos. Hasta el momento no existirían variables que permitan establecer magnitudes de riesgo en función de las cuales se determine la prioridad de las acciones preventivas en bioseguridad. La variable propuesta, el Bio-Riesgo Intrínseco Mínimo (BioRIM) asociado a un proceso, es un método de análisis de riesgo que considera las características intrínsecas que poseen los agentes biológicos, el área de trabajo, el tipo de proceso desarrollado, la duración y la frecuencia con que se lleva a cabo dicho proceso. El cálculo del BioRIM posibilitaría comparar el riesgo frente a agentes biológicos entre procesos que ocurren en un área o en áreas diferentes. Por ejemplo la coloración de Gram presenta un BioRIM = 168, menor al del examen directo en fresco de BioRIM = 840; ya que luego de la preparación del frotis (que puede diseminar agentes) las etapas de coloración y observación microscópicas carecerían de bio-riesgo pues no diseminan ni multiplican los agentes. Sin embargo tanto la preparación de la muestra como la observación microscópica del examen directo en fresco presentan bio-riesgo, ya que ambos procesos podrían diseminar agentes. También se podrían comparar los riesgos relativos entre operadores de una misma área o de áreas diferentes o comparar las distintas áreas de un centro de salud. El Bio-Riesgo Intrínseco Mínimo es un sistema de referencia relativo que permitiría establecer una magnitud cuantitativa de la exposición a los agentes biológicos