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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
Operating and Biocontainment Procedures of a Facility for Laboratory Mice with a Natural Microbiome: Immunophenotyping Procedure
Published on: December 13, 2024
Microbiological quality assessment of laboratory mice in Korea and recommendations for quality improvement
Yi-Rang Na1, Seung-Hyeok Seok, Hui-Young Lee
1Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and KRF Zoonotic Disease Priority Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Regular monitoring of commercial laboratory rodents and institutional research animal residents is essential for microbiological quality control programs. The objective of our study was to investigate the recent prevalence of infectious pathogens in laboratory mice from eight experimental animal vendors and 56 institutional animal facilities in Korea. Our investigation was conducted in 2006-2007. Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) mice from four commercial breeders were clean according to serological, bacteriological, parasitological, and histopathological examination results. However, mice from one intermediate vendor that distributed SPF animals from main commercial vendors to local districts had Syphacia obvelata and Mycoptes musculinus infections. Additionally, mice from conventional animal breeders were highly contaminated. Among the 56 institutional animal facilities, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), Sendai virus and Mycoplasma pulmonis positive results were obtained in 23.2, 8.9, and 1.8% of animals tested, respectively. These results indicate that quarantine and eradication efforts of infectious pathogens in these facilities are sub-optimal and need to be improved. The use of commercial conventional mice for research should be eliminated and appropriate vendor selection as well as thorough quarantine before releasing animals into a facility are needed. Finally we suggest qualified veterinary experts are needed at each animal facility to ensure an adequate health surveillance program.
Insights
Laboratory mice in Korea showed high pathogen contamination, especially from conventional breeders and intermediate vendors. Improved quarantine and vendor selection are crucial for research quality control.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Microbiological quality control is vital for laboratory rodents used in research.
- Monitoring pathogen prevalence in research animal populations is essential for data integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of infectious pathogens in laboratory mice from Korean vendors and research facilities.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current health surveillance and quarantine protocols.
Main Methods:
- Serological, bacteriological, parasitological, and histopathological examinations were performed.
- Samples were collected from Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and conventional mice from commercial breeders and institutional facilities.
- Data were collected between 2006 and 2007.
Main Results:
- SPF mice from primary breeders were largely free of targeted pathogens.
- Mice from an intermediate vendor exhibited Syphacia obvelata and Mycoptes musculinus infections.
- Conventional mice showed high contamination rates; Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV), Sendai virus, and Mycoplasma pulmonis were detected in 23.2%, 8.9%, and 1.8% of institutional animals, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Current quarantine and pathogen eradication efforts in Korean animal facilities are inadequate.
- Eliminating the use of commercial conventional mice and implementing rigorous vendor selection and quarantine are recommended.
- Establishing qualified veterinary expert oversight is necessary for robust animal health surveillance programs.
