STATUS OF MOUSE COLONIES
In July, 13 sentinels were found seropositive for MPV and 5 mouse
rooms were quarantined. Eleven (11) of these sentinels were from
the same source, stock and shipment. Since that time, the DAR has
tested 661 mice and found only one additional sentinel to be seropositive.
This mouse was from the original shipment of MPV-positive animals.
Based upon the failure to find MPV using serology and PCR in 660
mice since July, including 179 sentinels in October, the DAR has
lifted quarantine restrictions on all colonies.
THE FUTURE
We do not live in a risk-free world and there is always risk
of infectious disease with rodents. However, it is of increasing
concern that something we take for granted as seemingly impregnable
bastions of pathogen-free rodents, the commercial breeders, may
be the source of a considerable number of infections today. In
our case, strong circumstantial evidence suggested that we bought
MPV-seropositive mice from a commercial vendor. Consequently,
the facility where these mice were purchased has been discontinued
as an approved site for Emory scientists. Nationally, widespread
outbreaks of MHV at multiple institutions share the common thread
of a sole vendor. There is increasing concern among the laboratory
animal veterinary community that the nature and degree of pathogen
testing by the vendors may not be adequate to detect breaks in
a timely way or to detect infections that are slow to spread and
at a low incidence.
MOUSE USE GUIDELINES
For reasons given in the preceeding paragraph, it is critically
important to properly use the containment caging system and not
open cages outside of a biosafety cabinet. This is the only way
that we can safely receive and use mice without quarantining mice,
at a great cost and inconvenience, from commercial vendors. Additionally,
rodent users should note that all personnel entering mouse rooms
must continue to wear a disposable gown, hair net, surgical-type
mask, shoe covers and gloves and must change such garb if moving
from room-to-room. Mice should only be handled in a biosafety
cabinet with gloved hands kept moist with disinfectant. DAR staff
handle mice during cage changes with forceps soaked in povidone
iodine disinfectant. Research personnel should not enter clean
cage wash and clean cage storage areas. The DAR will make every
effort to provide clean cages and other implements for investigator
use in accessible areas either in or near mouse rooms.
ANIMAL TRANSFERS
Under no circumstance may rodents be moved from other institutions,
including the VAMC or Yerkes, to campus without veterinary approval.
Likewise, researchers working with mice at the VAMC or Yerkes
must not subsequently enter animal research facilities on campus
during the same day. On campus, rodents should not be moved from
room-to-room or building-to-building on the Emory campus without
the knowledge and consent of the veterinary staff.
