Which of the Following is the Most Appropriate Pairing of Microbe

Question

Which of the following is the most appropriate pairing of microbe and biosafety level?
A) E. coli, BSL-3
B) anthrax, BSL-1
C) Ebola, BSL-2
D) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), BSL-2
E) tuberculosis, BSL-1

Accepted Answer

MRSA is a highly resistant and potentially pathogenic bacterium that requires BSL-2 precautions such as wearing gloves, a lab coat, and eye protection when working with it. E. coli can also cause illness and is typically handled at a BSL-2 or BSL-1 level depending on the strain and research purpose. Anthrax and Ebola are highly infectious and require BSL-3 and BSL-4 precautions, respectively. Tuberculosis is also highly infectious and typically requires BSL-2 precautions.