Classification recommendations of the ZKBS

Following its 228th meeting on 9 June, the Central Commission for Biological Safety issued a short classification recommendation on variants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis published. In a genetic study, M. tuberculosis var. orygis, M. tuberculosis var. mungi and M. tuberculosis var. suricattae in the Risk group 3 In addition, the ZKBS has addressed a classification recommendation for the bacterium Pluralibacter gergoviae. This bacterium is widespread worldwide and exhibits a high tolerance to preservatives such as benzoic acid and parabens, which means that the bacterium can occur as a microbial contaminant in cosmetic products. Furthermore, Pluralibacter gergoviae causes infections in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. Multidrug-resistant isolates have also been increasingly detected.

The ZKBS assigns Pluralibacter gergoviae therefore belongs to risk group 2.

We have sent you the full statement here linked.