Animal Care and Use Committee

Policy # 7

Approved September 1998

Amended   September 2005

Housing of Mice in Medical School Animal Facilities

Background :

Mice in the animal facilities of the Medical School have become infected with adventitious viral pathogens in the past, among them Mouse Hepatitis Virus, Rotavirus, and Parvovirus. Efforts to contain and eliminate the viruses through isolation of the affected population and avoiding the introduction of new susceptible animals have met with only partial success. Many research projects cannot be successfully completed in mice that have been infected with these viruses. In order to protect the scientific integrity of research in the Medical School, it is imperative to prevent introduction or re-introduction of pathogens. The Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) has decided that the best way to do this is to require that mice be housed in microisolator cages and handled with techniques designed to prevent spread of pathogens between cages of mice.

 

Policy :

All mice housed in Medical School animal facilities will be housed in microisolator cages, except in those facilities designated as quarantine facilities.   Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the ACUC or the Attending Veterinarian and will be considered on a facility, single room, or individual protocol basis.

 

Role of the Investigator

Investigators who house mice in Medical School facilities must keep these mice in microisolator cages. They must ensure that all laboratory personnel that handle the mice learn and follow guidelines established by the LAR to prevent spread of pathogens. These guidelines may include: donning of protective garments, following prescribed traffic patterns, using special techniques to open cages and handle mice, and following procedures for transport of mice within and between facilities.

 

Role of the Veterinary Staff and Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR)

The veterinary staff will be responsible for developing the guidelines listed above, and they will train all personnel handling mice and entering mouse rooms governed by those guidelines. In addition, the veterinary staff has authority to enforce compliance with this policy.   Mice that acquire adventitious viruses may be removed to a quarantine facility.

Role of the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC)

The ACUC will review the guidelines, and may develop other policies as needed to maintain a pathogen free mouse colony. The ACUC will monitor animal facilities to verify compliance with this policy.

 

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07-HousingMice.pdf

List of ACUC Policies