Nancy Johnson

Expert Opinion: What To Do When There Is Coccidioides Exposure in a Laboratory

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.

Halomonas johnsoniae: review of a medically underappreciated genus of growing human importance.

The growing genus Halomonas includes bacteria favoring or tolerating high-saline/halide and high-pH environments. Infections are rarely reported. A patient developed Halomonas johnsoniae (previously reported only as dialysis unit environmental contaminants) bacteremia. The medical community is alerted to the pathogenic potential of the genus, particularly in a dialysis setting.