Animal Health & Treatment

By Matthew Nemelka | July 25, 2023 | Comments Off on Animal Health & Treatment

The health of all animals maintained in the Center for Comparative Medicine facilities is assessed prior to research use (preventive medicine program) and during research conduct (daily health checks). Researchers benefit by working with subjects that are free of unwanted pathogens known to impact animal health or research outcomes.

Preventive Medicine Programs include:

Daily Health Check:

The second component of CCM’s program for animal health is the daily health check. This regulatory-required component includes daily assessment of all animals by specially trained CCM staff. CCM staff will contact Principal Investigators and research staff if any abnormal clinical signs are found in their animals.

Clinical veterinarians have also been assigned to each facility and should be contacted for any animal health issue that requires additional diagnostic or clinical intervention.

Rodent Health Quality Assurance Program

Rodent Health Quality Assurance Program

In accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, an animal health assurance program must be in place for disease surveillance and diagnosis that also includes a strategy for keeping animals free of specific pathogens. Pathogens that should be excluded are those that can either alter scientific objectives of a specific program, adversely affect specific strains of rodents or have the potential to negatively impact other protocols in the same facility.

Definitions:

Any rodent showing evidence of illness or infection with any of the pathogens described in the Specific Pathogen Free profile will be quarantined in CCM facilities.

Non-Rodent Animal Health Quality Assurance Program

Non-Rodent Animal Health Quality Assurance Program

In accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, an animal health assurance program must be in place for disease surveillance and diagnosis that also includes a strategy for keeping animals free of specific pathogens. Pathogens that should be excluded are those that can either alter scientific objectives of a specific program, adversely affect or have the potential to negatively impact other protocols in the same facility.

Rodent Sentinel Information

Sentinel Testing Program

Purpose: To identify infections in research animals that:

  • May cause disease in the animal
  • May cause disease in the caretakers/researchers (zoonoses)
  • May influence research results

Sentinel testing supplements daily observation of animals during husbandry rounds and during procedures by investigators.

  • Sentinel cage containing 3-4 animals placed at bottom of each rack of mice and rats
  • Sentinels receive dirty bedding from each cage on rack at cage change
  • Live sentinel animals and a variety of samples types (blood, fecal pellets, etc.) are submitted for testing at established time intervals. Sample type and interval is determined by facility and/or health status of the room.
  • Live animal testing includes:
    • Clinical exam
    • Gross necropsy
    • Oropharyngeal & fecal bacterial cultures
    • Pelt exam for ectoparasite
    • Fecal exam for helminths
    • Microscopic exam of ileal & cecal contents for protozoa
    • Test for pinworms
    • Complete antibody profile testing

Results:

  • Any positive results are brought to the attention of the veterinarian immediately
  • An Outbreak Management Plan is implemented to limit the spread of infection which may include quarantine, treatment, re-derivation, and/or sacrificing/restocking
  • Treatment option are discussed and presented to PIs

Testing Outside of Rodent Sentinel Program

Any further Rodent testing required by the receiving institution must be arranged by the investigator.

Contact:

Donna M. Jarrell, DVM Director Center for Comparative Medicine 149 Thirteenth Street, Rm 5249 Charlestown, MA 02129 617 726-9432 (phone) 617 726-5705 (fax) djarrell@partners.org

Rodent Colony Outbreaks

Outbreak Management

In addition to routinely screening for unwanted pathogens, CCM has a standard response to a positive diagnostic test result for an excluded pathogen within a CCM small animal facility. The test results will usually come from sentinel animals as part of the health monitoring program. However, this plan will also be followed when positive results are noted in research animals. This is summarized in the outbreak management flowchart. All rooms with positive results (outbreaks) are placed in quarantine or isolation to minimize the potential of transmission to other rooms. A plan to eliminate the unwanted pathogen is put in place for each positive room.

Current and Historical Outbreaks:

2023 Outbreaks

Mouse Parvo Virus was detected in the follow facility/rooms:

114 1605 – On January 13, 2023, Mouse Parvo Virus (MPV-1) was detected in 2 serum samples in 2 sentinel cages during routine testing.  The testing was confirmed, and the room was placed in quarantine on January 27, 2023.  New sentinel animals were placed in the room and testing was initiated in the room.  All PI cages were tested weekly for 3 rounds of fecal PCR, and the sentinel animals were sent out live four weeks post placement for PCR of the mesenteric lymph node and serum for MPV.  All repeat testing was negative.  As we could not find a source for the positive sentinel cage, we concluded that the source was no longer present.  The room was released from quarantine on April 3, 2023.

114-1717 – a small cohort of cages were moved to CNY 114-1717 from 114-1605 on February 6, 2023, for studies needing access to a chemical fume hood.  These cages were the only cages in the room.  New sentinel animals were placed in the room and testing was initiated in the room.  All PI cages were tested weekly for 3 rounds of fecal PCR, and the sentinel animals were sent out live four weeks post placement for PCR of the mesenteric lymph node and serum for MPV.  All repeat testing was negative.  As we could not find a source for the positive sentinel cage, we concluded that the source was no longer present.  The room was released from quarantine on April 3, 2023.

2022 Outbreaks

None

2021 Outbreaks

Fur mites were identified in the following facility/rooms:

149-8027A – on February 05, 2021 Myobia musculi was identified in one sentinel on annual live animal necropsy and the room was placed in suspect status.  All cages on that rack and all sentinels in the room were test by PCR.  All repeat testing was negative, as we could not find a source for the positive sentinel cage we concluded that the source was no longer present and the room was returned to SPF status on February 18, 2021.

2020 Outbreaks

Mouse Parvo Virus was detected in the follow facility/rooms:

114 1609 On April 30, 2020  Mouse Parvo Virus (MPV-1) was detected in 1 serum sample in 1 sentinel cage during routine testing.  Live animals were shipped out for confirmatory testing (1 mouse from each sentinel cage in the room).  Those animals were tested for repeat serum and PCR testing of the mesenteric lymph node and the same sentinel cage was found to be positive. The room was placed in quarantine on May 12, 2020.  Additional testing of every cage on the positive rack was performed for two rounds by fecal PCR, as well as serum and PCR of mesenteric lymph nodes of every sentinel in the room.  All repeat testing was negative except for the positive sentinel cage.  As we could not find a source for the positive sentinel cage we concluded that the source was no longer present, we replaced all the sentinels and the room was released from quarantine on June 10, 2020.

Simches 8630 On January 31, 2020  Mouse Parvo Virus (MPV-1) was detected in 1 serum sample in 1 sentinel cage during routine testing.  Repeat testing was performed on the same cage for serology and PCR of the lymph node and the testing was negative.  Due to the recent intermittent positive finding in this room we wanted to rule out an ongoing infection or a false positive in the sentinel.  We added a new sentinel to every rack in the room and began weekly fecal PCR testing of the sentinel cages for 6 weeks.  At the completion of the 6 week period we submitted a live sentinel from every rack in the room for serology and PCR of the mesenteric lymphnode.  All of the testing was negative.  At this time we believe it was related to the age of the original sentinel and the room was considered negative at the completion of the testing on April 13, 2020.

2019 Outbreaks

Mouse Parvo Virus was detected in the follow facility/rooms:

Thier 113B On October 8, 2019 Mouse Parvo Virus (MPV-1) was detected in 1 serum sample in 1 sentinel cage during routine testing.  Live animals were shipped out for confirmatory testing (1 mouse from each sentinel cage in the room) and both repeat serology and PCR of mesenteric lymph node were negative.  The room was returned to SPF status on October 17, 2019.  All sentinel animals were euthanized and replaced at this time.

Simches 8630 On July 31, 2019  Mouse Parvo Virus (MPV-1) was detected in 1 serum sample in 1 sentinel cage during routine testing.  Live animals were shipped out for confirmatory testing (1 mouse from each sentinel cage in the room).  Those animals were tested for repeat serum and PCR testing of the mesenteric lymph node and the same sentinel cage was found to be positive.  The room was placed in quarantine on August 8, 2019.  Additional testing of every cage on the positive rack was performed for two rounds by fecal PCR, as well as serum and PCR of mesenteric lymph nodes of every sentinel in the room.  All repeat testing was negative, as we could not find a source for the positive sentinel cage we concluded that the source was no longer present and the room was released from quarantine on September 10, 2019.

Thier 113B On July 12, 2019  Mouse Parvo Virus (MPV-1) was detected in 1 serum sample in 1 sentinel cage during routine testing.  Live animals were shipped out for confirmatory testing (1 mouse from each sentinel cage in the room) and both repeat serology and PCR of mesenteric lymph node were negative.  The room was returned to SPF status on 7/23/19.

Pinworm, Aspiculuris sp., was identified in the following facility/rooms:

Thier B16C on May 1, 2019 Aspiculuris was identified in one sentinel animal by intestinal maceration.  The results were confirmed via fecal PCR in investigators cage and the room was placed in quarantine.  The positive PI cages from THR B33 were consolidated into THR B16C.  This room contained 2 investigators.  Each cage in the room was testing for pinworm by fecal PCR by strain.  All positive strains were required to be rederived and were moved offsite by December 2019.  All cages in the room were transferred to disposable caging and began on fenbendazole feed in November 2019 (6 weeks on diet, 2 weeks off diet, 2 weeks on diet).  During the treatment period all the labs were sanitized and the animals were moved to a clean room (Thier B27).  At the completion of treatment all cages were tested serially by fecal PCR for 5 rounds of testing.  Additionally live animal sentinels were tested via fecal PCR and intestinal maceration at 4 5 and 6 weeks post treatment.  All post treatment results were negative and the room is currently considered SPF as of April 23, 2020 with limited traffic allowed into and out of the room.

Thier B27 on December 16, 2019 all cages from B16C were moved to this room to complete the pinworm eradication plan.  At the completion of treatment all cages were tested serially by fecal PCR for 5 rounds of testing.  Additionally live animal sentinels were tested via fecal PCR and intestinal maceration at 4, 5, and 6 weeks post treatment.  All post treatment results were negative and the room is currently considered SPF as of April 23, 2020 with limited traffic allowed into and out of the room.  Weekly environmental testing of the rack has been negative and the room returned to normal SPF traffic patterns on September 1, 2020

Thier B33 on June 27, 2019 Aspiculuris was identified in one sentinel animal by intestinal maceration.  The results were confirmed via fecal PCR in investigators cage and the room is currently in quarantine.  The positive PI cages were consolidated into room Thier B16C and all other users were relocated into room THR 106.  THR B33 is currently empty and underwent decontamination as part of the eradication plan.

Thier 106 on July 23, 2019 All of the non-positive PI cages from B16C and B33 were relocated to THR 106.  All cages in the room were tested and returned to SPF status on August 23, 2019

Fur mites were identified in the following facility/rooms:

149-8027A – on May 13, 2019 Myobia musculi was identified in one sentinel on annual live animal necropsy and the room was placed in suspect status.  All cages on that rack and all sentinels in the room were test by PCR.  All repeat testing was negative, as we could not find a source for the positive sentinel cage we concluded that the source was no longer present and the room was returned to SPF status on May 29, 2019.

Page last modified April 3, 2023

Cell Lines

Biological Materials Testing Methodology

PCR Testing:

PCR technology has become the standard in the testing of biological materials for the presence of inherent and adventitious pathogens. It is highly sensitive and specific. Samples are tested directly for the presence of agents of interest.

The CCM preferred provider for PCR testing of biological materials is VRL Animal Health Diagnostics http://www.vrlsat.com/ in Rockville, Maryland. They perform CytoClear Cell line pathogen screening.

For Shipping & Submission Instructions and Forms go to: https://vrlsat.com/printable-submission-forms/

  • For the Submission form: Select All Purpose Sample Submission form
  • For Instructions on Submission: Select General Submission Instructions and PCR form (check for correct sample type)
  • Catalogue number for Mouse cell line / biological material testing =  CytoClear Mouse Premium 10000
  • Catalogue number for Rat cell line/ biological material testing = CytoClear Rat 10020

If you have any questions about sample submission, please contact VRL (800-804-3586).

If you have any other questions, please contact Dr. Joanne Morris or Dr. Lori Palley.

Rodent Health Concerns

Rodent Daily Health Check Process:

CCM utilizes a team approach for the monitoring and care of rodents. 

  • CCM Research Animal Specialists (RAS) perform daily health checks of all rodents housed in CCM animal facilities.
  • If a health concern is suspected, animals are examined.
  • The RAS uses the Rodent Health Concern Booklet to guide identification of health concern and treatment plan which is then documented on orange health concern card and communicated to lab contacts and CCM facility staff with an email template.
  • In some cases, this email may request that the researcher take a certain action and/or respond by a certain time.
  • If researchers disagree with the assessment, treatment plan, timeline or have any other questions or concerns, they are asked to “reply all” to the email thread so that the concern can be addressed by the appropriate party.
  • For some health concerns, RASs may notify Veterinary Services (VS) for a further evaluation of the animal. VS will assess the animal, provide a plan, and coordinate follow up communication. As with above, any researcher questions or concerns can be raised by a “reply all” to the email thread.
  • If researchers suspect a health concern that has not been identified by facility staff, they are welcome to reach out to the RASs, VS, or facility manager at any time to request an evaluation.
  • If researchers have IACUC approval to maintain animals beyond standard endpoints or cannot follow standard recommended treatment plans as described in the Rodent Health Concern Booklet, they are asked to work with their facility veterinarian and facility manager to ensure proper signage (“exemption poster”) is posted in the applicable housing rooms.

Rodent Health Concern Booklet (Effective Date: May 3, 2021):

Rodent Health Concern Links for Researchers: 

Tool for assessment of animals:

Information on commonly recommended treatments:

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