A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation
Human Factors
DG [dangerous goods] paper presented to the crew had incorrect entries in the description of infectious substances loaded on the aircraft. The description presented to the crew stated: 'XXYYYY Infectious Substances Affecting Humans (CAT A).  This incorrect entry shows that someone involved did not understand the DG regulations or the documentation requirements.  A 'Category A' infectious substance is a substance which is transported in a form that; when exposure to it occurs; is capable of causing permanent disability; life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals.  After an extended delay; DG personnel presented correct paperwork and the flight departed.
Captain reports being given a Dangerous Goods form for a substance; which is not authorized and should have been detected by the person doing the paperwork even though the entry was in error.