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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Diagnosis of Ecto- and Endoparasites in Laboratory Rats and Mice
Published on: September 6, 2011
Rodent vendor apparent source of mouse parvovirus in sentinel mice
Jennifer K Pullium1, Kimberly A Benjamin, Michael J Huerkamp
1Division of Animal Resources, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Suite G02, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Abstract:
Mouse parvovirus (MPV) has been increasingly prevalent in laboratory animal facilities, and the source of infection often can be difficult to determine. After 4 years of sporadic MPV detected in our sentinel mice and continual failure to identify index cases in colony mice, we developed a regimen to house newly arrived vendor mice in large sterile cages with a high stocking density. Some of these mice were retained in isolation after the remaining mice were deployed as sentinels. After detecting MPV seropositive sentinel mice 4 weeks after introduction to the mouse colonies in one facility, the remaining naïve mice that had been previously housed with those sentinels also tested positive for MPV, despite never having been exposed to colony mice. These results suggest that commercially bred mice intended for use as sentinels may, in fact, arrive at animal facilities already infected with MPV. Depending upon numerous factors, including the health surveillance methods used, it is possible that a low prevalence of MPV may exist undetected at rodent vendors.
Insights
Newly arrived vendor mice may carry Mouse parvovirus (MPV), leading to infections in laboratory settings. This suggests potential undetected MPV prevalence in commercially bred rodents, impacting animal research.
Area of Science:
- Laboratory animal science
- Virology
- Infectious disease epidemiology
Background:
- Mouse parvovirus (MPV) is a growing concern in laboratory animal facilities.
- Identifying the source of MPV infections has proven challenging.
- Sporadic MPV detection in sentinel mice occurred without identifying index cases in colony mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the source of persistent Mouse parvovirus (MPV) infections in a laboratory animal facility.
- To determine if newly arrived vendor mice are a potential source of MPV transmission.
- To evaluate a novel housing regimen for newly arrived mice.
Main Methods:
- Newly arrived vendor mice were housed in large sterile cages at high stocking densities.
- Some mice were isolated, while others were used as sentinels in established colonies.
- Sentinel mice and their previously housed naïve cage-mates were tested for MPV.
Main Results:
- Sentinel mice introduced to colonies became MPV seropositive within 4 weeks.
- Naïve mice previously housed with infected sentinels also tested positive for MPV.
- MPV was detected in naïve mice without direct exposure to colony mice.
Conclusions:
- Commercially bred sentinel mice may arrive at facilities already infected with Mouse parvovirus (MPV).
- A low prevalence of MPV might exist undetected in rodents from commercial vendors.
- Current health surveillance methods may not detect low-level MPV infections in incoming animals.
