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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Operating and Biocontainment Procedures of a Facility for Laboratory Mice with a Natural Microbiome: Immunophenotyping Procedure
Published on: December 13, 2024
Microbiological contamination of laboratory mice and rats in Korea from 1999 to 2003
Young-Suk Won1, Eui-Suk Jeong, Hyun-Ji Park
1ICLAS Monitoring Subcenter Korea, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea.
Abstract:
To survey the microbiological contamination of laboratory mice and rats in Korea during a 5-year period, we monitored animals housed in mouse and rat facilities with either barrier or conventional systems. At barrier and conventional mouse facilities, the most important pathogen identified was mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), while Mycoplasma pulmonis was the most important pathogen at conventional rat facilities. Interestingly, hantavirus was recovered from both barrier and conventional mouse facilities. The most common protozoon identified was Tritrichomonas muris in mouse facilities and Entamoeba muris in rat facilities. In addition, we found that the microbiological contamination of mice and rats in conventional facilities was severe. These results suggest that conventional facilities should be renovated and monitored regularly to decrease microbiological contamination. We also propose that hantavirus should be monitored in Korea as an important mouse pathogen.
Insights
Microbiological contamination in Korean lab animals was surveyed over 5 years. Conventional facilities showed severe contamination, highlighting the need for renovation and regular monitoring of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and hantavirus.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Microbiological contamination poses a significant threat to the health and research integrity of laboratory animals.
- Understanding the prevalence of pathogens in different housing systems is crucial for maintaining animal welfare and data reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive 5-year survey of microbiological contamination in laboratory mice and rats in Korea.
- To compare contamination levels between barrier and conventional housing systems.
- To identify key pathogens and protozoa affecting these animal models.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring of animals housed in both barrier and conventional mouse and rat facilities over a 5-year period.
- Identification of common and significant microbiological contaminants, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.
- Assessment of contamination severity in different housing environments.
Main Results:
- Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) was the primary pathogen in both barrier and conventional mouse facilities.
- Mycoplasma pulmonis was the most prevalent pathogen in conventional rat facilities.
- Hantavirus was detected in both barrier and conventional mouse facilities.
- Tritrichomonas muris and Entamoeba muris were the most common protozoa in mice and rats, respectively.
- Conventional facilities exhibited severe microbiological contamination compared to barrier systems.
Conclusions:
- Conventional laboratory animal facilities in Korea require renovation and regular monitoring to mitigate severe microbiological contamination.
- Hantavirus should be considered an important pathogen requiring routine monitoring in laboratory mice in Korea.
- Implementing improved housing and hygiene practices is essential for safeguarding the health of research animals.
