What primary factor is used to determine the biosafety level (BSL) of a pathogen?

What primary factor is used to determine the biosafety level (BSL) of a pathogen?

• A. The agent's pathogenicity and transmissibility
• B. The geographic origin of the pathogen
• C. The material cost of containment equipment
• D. The age of the laboratory personnel handling it

Answer: (A)

The primary factor used to determine the biosafety level (BSL) of a pathogen is the agent's pathogenicity and transmissibility. This means that the classification of a pathogen into its respective BSL is primarily based on how harmful the organism can be to humans, animals, and the environment, as well as how easily it can spread. Pathogenicity refers to the ability of the microorganism to cause disease, and transmissibility refers to how easily the pathogen can be transmitted from one host to another. These characteristics inform the level of containment and safety precautions necessary to handle the organism effectively and minimize the risk of exposure and infection. In practice, pathogens that are highly pathogenic and easily transmissible are assigned to higher biosafety levels, which require more stringent physical containment practices, specialized equipment, and procedural safeguards to protect laboratory personnel and the surrounding community. The assessment of pathogenicity and transmissibility is crucial for determining how to safely work with a particular pathogen.

The primary factor used to determine the biosafety level (BSL) of a pathogen is the agent's pathogenicity and transmissibility. This means that the classification of a pathogen into its respective BSL is primarily based on how harmful the organism can be to humans, animals, and the environment, as well as how easily it can spread.

Pathogenicity refers to the ability of the microorganism to cause disease, and transmissibility refers to how easily the pathogen can be transmitted from one host to another. These characteristics inform the level of containment and safety precautions necessary to handle the organism effectively and minimize the risk of exposure and infection.

In practice, pathogens that are highly pathogenic and easily transmissible are assigned to higher biosafety levels, which require more stringent physical containment practices, specialized equipment, and procedural safeguards to protect laboratory personnel and the surrounding community. The assessment of pathogenicity and transmissibility is crucial for determining how to safely work with a particular pathogen.