Health Surveillance of Colonies

1.      MICE

Rodent pathogens may not only be hazardous for animals (and humans) but can severely influence the results of animal experiments. Infections may increase inter-individual variability, may lead to false conclusions and misinterpretation, and may be responsible for a lack of reproducibility. Microbiological standardization is therefore of crucial importance.

In the SPF Animal Facility of IPMon, health controls are performed quarterly by serum and feces analyses of sentinel animals. Two female BALB/c mice are used as sentinels in each IVC rack, which are weekly changed into soiled bedding. Sentinels samples are tested against common murine pathogenic virus, bacteria and parasites (see SPF list file) in specialized laboratories (EEUU, Brazil and Uruguay). Necropsies, and Helicobacter and parasites testing are also performed at the unit.

Results of health tests are available here.

2.      ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

Environmental microbiological surveys are performed quarterly. In order to assess incoming air and sanitization procedures in animal rooms and laboratories of the SPF facility, passive sedimentation on nutritive medium plates and swab samples, for bacteria and fungi, are used.  Autoclave efficacy is monitored quarterly with biological and chemical indicators and with each load by temperature sterilization strips.