Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models
Published on: December 3, 2019
Successful rederivation of contaminated immunocompetent mice using neonatal transfer with iodine immersion
Julie Watson1, Keyata N Thompson, Sanford H Feldman
1Department of Comparative Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
There is an ongoing need to eradicate intercurrent disease from research mouse colonies. Commonly used surgical methods, however, are expensive and time-consuming. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of litters that could be rederived from infected mouse colonies by neonatal transfer. We immersed neonatal mice in a dilute iodine solution and transferred them to disease-free foster mothers within 48 h of birth. Donor and foster mothers were evaluated for pathogens by serology and fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Of 55 donor mothers, 100% were positive serologically and 59% were positive by fecal PCR for one or more tested organisms, including mouse hepatitis virus, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus, mouse rotavirus, and Helicobacter hepaticus. At 4 to 6 weeks after neonatal transfer, 95% of foster mothers (which served as sentinels for the transferred pups) tested free of pathogens, the exceptions being one case of mouse parvovirus 1 and two of Helicobacter spp. We suggest that cross-fostering is a viable low-cost method for rederivation of mouse colonies contaminated with pathogens such as mouse hepatitis virus, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus, mouse rotavirus, and H. hepaticus.
Insights
Neonatal cross-fostering effectively rederives mouse colonies from pathogen-infected populations. This low-cost method successfully transfers healthy pups to disease-free foster mothers, minimizing research disruptions.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Science
- Laboratory Animal Science
Background:
- Research mouse colonies frequently require eradication of intercurrent diseases.
- Conventional surgical rederivation methods are costly and labor-intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of neonatal transfer for rederiving mouse colonies infected with common pathogens.
- To determine the success rate of transferring litters from infected mothers to disease-free foster mothers.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal mice were immersed in iodine solution and transferred to disease-free foster mothers within 48 hours of birth.
- Donor and foster mothers were monitored for pathogens using serology and fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.
- Pathogen screening included mouse hepatitis virus, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus, mouse rotavirus, and Helicobacter hepaticus.
Main Results:
- 100% of donor mothers tested positive serologically for pathogens; 59% tested positive by fecal PCR.
- After neonatal transfer, 95% of foster mothers (sentinels for pups) remained pathogen-free.
- Minor exceptions included one case of mouse parvovirus 1 and two of Helicobacter spp.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal cross-fostering is a viable, low-cost alternative to surgical rederivation for contaminated mouse colonies.
- This method is effective for eradicating pathogens like mouse hepatitis virus, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus, mouse rotavirus, and Helicobacter hepaticus.
- Cross-fostering minimizes research interruptions caused by intercurrent diseases in mouse colonies.
