Standard Operating Procedures

Sentinel Health Program

Last updated: March 12, 2012

Purpose
The purpose of this document is to describe the sentinel program designed to monitor the health status of animals housed in LAR in an effort to prevent, detect and control the presence of specific infectious pathogens which may adversely affect animal health and/or influence research protocols. Sentinels cannot detect all pathogens but may serve as indicators of adherence to and effectiveness of barrier systems, containment areas, and preventive practices such as cage opening/changing, animal transport and procurement, use of protective equipment, and introduction of biological products.

Procedures

• SPF mice
  • A dirty bedding exposure sentinel program monitors the health status of mice in the SPF mouse facility (SB). The program employs quarterly serologic analysis of outbred mice (Swiss Webster or ICR from Jackson Labs) in order to screen for the presence of pathogens that may confound research results. Three times a year (first week of July, October, January) we test for MHV, MVM, MNV, MPV, Sendai, TMEV, EDIM, and Mycoplasma pulmonis.  Once yearly (first week of April), we test for these same agents as well as PVM, Reo3, LCM, and Ectromelia.
  • Ectoparasite examination (microscopic examination of fur plucks on cellophane tape) and endoparasite examination (perianal cellophane tapes for Syphacia obvelata eggs, fecal flotation for Aspicularis tetraptera eggs, and direct examination of cecal and proximal colonic contents for adults of both species) are done quarterly on sentinel mice as well. Blood sample collection and preparation of serum is done on site. Ectoparasite and endoparasite exams are done on site using a stereomicroscope and an inverted light microscope, depending on the testing methodology.
  • Serology analysis is conducted by IDEXX RADIL
• Rats
  • All rats are acquired from Charles River Laboratories. TSPF hey are monitored quarterly for Syphacia muris using the cellophane tape test. Serology is performed quarterly on extra rats from the primary population and includes RCV, Sendai, PVM, Parvo, TMEV, and Mycoplasma pulmonis three times a year (first week of July, October, and January). In the spring (first week of April), the serologic panel includes these agents as well as Reo3, LCM, MAD1, CARB, Hantaan, and Tyzzer’s disease. Extra rats used for serology are necropsied and visual examination of cecal and colonic contents done for adult pinworms.
  • Serology analysis is conducted by IDEXX RADIL
• Naked mole rats
  • A sentinel program is in place using outbred mice for diseases that could be detrimental to our SPF mouse program. Testing is identical to that described above for mice.
• Rabbits
  • Rabbits are acquired from Myrtle’s Rabbitry. When rabbits are in the animal facility, one rabbit is tested semiannually (not the same rabbit each time) for Tyzzer’s disease, Treponema, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, depending on whether rabbits are being housed long-term (> 4-6 months) or not.
  • Serology analysis is conducted by IDEXX RADIL
• Guinea pigs
  • Guinea pigs are acquired from Charles River Laboratories. There is currently no formal serologic surveillance program since the guinea pigs are used by a single investigator who uses them quickly (within a period of 8-10 weeks). We do not house guinea pigs long-term in a breeding or long-term experimentation situation at this time. If this situation changes, we will expect to monitor semiannually for Sendai, PVM, PI3, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi while adding once annually to this screen SV5, LCM and Tyzzer’s disease
• Dwarf Hamsters
  • Dwarf hamsters were obtained from a closed colony.  Two dwarf hamsters are tested quarterly for Sendai, LCMV and Clostridium piliforme.
  • Serology analysis is conducted by IDEXX RADIL
• Zebrafish
  • Due to the limited number of fish in our program (we currently do not have zebrafish in our facility), we will do direct monitoring for parasite screening using gill biopsies, cytological examination of scale samples, and fecal examination on a semiannual basis.
  • Samples are sent to the Histology Laboratory at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR for analysis
• Quarantine Sentinel Procedures
  Mice received from vendors or sources other than those on the preferred list must be quarantined for 6 weeks in a quarantine cubicle in HSB 004. Sentinel mice will be used just as described above for mice in the SPF facility. Blood samples for serology may also be taken directly from the new mice using lateral saphenous vein collection methods. For additional quarantine procedures, see guidelines for quarantine.