Talk to the animals: biosecurity from a rodent s point of view

Transcription

1 Talk to the animals: biosecurity from a rodent s point of view Kathleen Pritchett-Corning DVM, DACLAM, MRCVS Senior Clinical Veterinarian Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences

2 Vast majority of vertebrates used in research today

3 A little different definition When we talk about biosecurity in the laboratory animal field, we mean the original sense: A set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases in crops and livestock, quarantined pests, invasive alien species, and living modified organisms (Koblentz, 2010)

4 f paramount importance Many of these models are no longer useful if contaminated by unwanted organisms. rganisms of human concern rarely* involved unless inoculated into the animals. If that s going on, appropriate human protective measures are already in place, one hopes!

5 * If your institution is working with wild rodents, feral rodents, or you are working in pest control, there is potential risk. Zoonotic agents may still appear in lab rodents, for example, LCMV. See also MMWR (32); , JAALAS (3);

6 Health status health Health = basic bodily integrity and proper functioning Health status = the presence/absence of various microbiologic agents monitored in the animals of interest

7 Health status is vital Contamination with unwanted microbial agents can render the animals unusable for research, have significant ($$$$$) and longlasting effects on receiving institutions, or potentially affect the health of the animals. Most agents of concern are SPECIES-SPECIFIC

8 Mouse agents of concern? Concerns based on prevalence and potential use of the animals. MNV MPV Rotavirus MHV S. aureus Helicobacter spp. P. pneumotropica Pinworms Fur mites

9 Virus prevalence Mice - MNV still about 36% MPV MHV Rota TMEV

10 Bacterial prevalence Mice H hep H bil H any P pneum S aureus

11 Why? Persistence in the environment Non-enveloped viruses va persistent in the environment Shed in massive amounts Started out as enzootic agents and people have decided they don t care Hard to find and then PCR finds them (eek!)

12 A plea for the proper use of effective disinfectants and sterilants Ethanol? Isopropyl? Dwell time? Concentrations? I chlorine dioxide (okay, and VHP, too)

13 Where are the risks? In the facility: Introduction of new animals Introduction of biological materials Movement to/from investigator spaces ther animals within the facility Material movement within the facility Handling animals

14 Inside the facility Introduction of new animals Major vendors okay ther institutions have much less control Introduction of biological materials Must be tested Cell lines, antibodies, germplasm, all of it

15 Inside the facility Movement to/from investigator spaces Shared imaging Shared behavior To labs Designate in/out space Understand how to disinfect imaging or behavior equipment if possible If not, try to mitigate animal exposure

16 Inside the facility ther animals within the facility Most animals now in microisolation cages Proper technique!!!! Limit and track movement between rooms Material movement within the facility Mind your rubbish When in doubt, throw it out

17 Inside the facility Handling animals Pay particular attention to what might contact the animals Gloves, sleeves, forceps Working in laminar flow? Do people understand how cabinets work? Effective disinfectants Apply early and often Clear policy on what happens to floor mice

18 Where are the risks? utside of the facility: Incursion of wild/feral rodents Shipment via common carrier Food Bedding ther supplies

19 utside of the facility Incursion of wild/feral rodents Will bring things to your facility Some things prevalent in wild mice hard for domestic mice to catch, but not all Good pest control Animal facility Also, building Think like a mouse

20 utside of the facility Shipment via common carrier Majority of rodents shipped not research quality The pet and feeder rodents are next to yours on the plane Pack appropriately if you are the shipper Disinfect adequately if you are the receiver Quarantine or rederivation? Health status should be provided by the shipper Trust but verify

21 utside of the facility Food/bedding May be intrinsically contaminated Stored in warehouses Warehouse can be rodent paradise! ther supplies: Realize that scientists have to bring materials, but show them how to disinfect or provide solutions such as fax machines or shared printers to minimize outside stuff

22 Crowcroft, 1966

23 A story from times past Chronic, recurring mouse parvovirus outbreaks in SPF immunology facility. Associated with certain vendors, but vendors not infected (and not lying).

24 ????? Seasonality outbreaks occurred in late fall. Shipment mode few animals arrived by dedicated truck. Most arrived by plane, then courier. Facility handling of crates could be better.

25 Best guess

26

27 Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl

28 How do we protect the animals in our care? Understand why biosecurity is necessary Understand the critical control points Think before acting or reacting to findings Proper use of effective disinfectants and sterilants