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Rodent and germplasm trafficking: risks of microbial contamination in a high-tech biomedical world

Esther Mahabir1, Beth Bauer, Jörg Schmidt

  • 1Department of Comparative Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany. mahabir@helmholtz-muenchen.de

ILAR Journal
|May 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Biomedical research involving mice and their tissues risks infectious agent spread. This study reviews shipping regulations and microbial contamination risks for mice, tissues, and cells, offering mitigation strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Laboratory animal science
  • Biomedical research
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Increased use of mice and tissue sharing in biomedical research raises concerns about infectious agent dissemination.
  • Current international health surveillance standards are insufficient for imported rodents, leading to potential risks for research facilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss regulations and practical considerations for shipping live mice and mouse tissues (spermatozoa, embryos, ovaries, embryonic stem cells).
  • To review microbial contamination risks associated with biological materials used in mouse research.
  • To present strategies for reducing pathogen transmission in laboratory settings.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on regulations and microbial contamination.
  • Analysis of pathogen transmission risks through various biological materials.
  • Discussion of risk mitigation techniques for routine laboratory conditions.

Main Results:

  • Embryos, in addition to live mice and tissues, can transmit microorganisms, particularly viruses, to recipient animals.
  • Lack of standardized health surveillance programs complicates the assessment of imported rodent health.
  • Pathogen transmission can occur through cryopreserved germplasm and embryonic stem cells.

Conclusions:

  • Standardized health surveillance and careful shipping practices are crucial to prevent pathogen transmission in research mouse colonies.
  • Understanding and mitigating microbial contamination risks in biological materials are essential for maintaining the integrity of biomedical research.
  • Implementing effective strategies can reduce the risk of pathogen spread during the transport and use of mice and their associated biological materials.

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