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Transmission of mouse parvovirus by fomites
Susan R Compton1, Frank X Paturzo, Peter C Smith
1Section of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. susan.compton@yale.edu
Abstract:
The goal of the current studies was to determine the risk of transmission of mouse parvovirus (MPV) by caging and husbandry practices. To determine whether MPV can be transmitted during cage changes in a biologic safety cabinet without the use of disinfectants, 14 cages of Swiss Webster mice were inoculated with MPV. Cages containing infected mice were interspersed among 14 cages housing naïve Swiss Webster mice. At 1, 2, and 4 wk after inoculation of the mice, cages were changed across each row. All naïve mice housed adjacent to infected mice remained seronegative. To determine the risk of environmental contamination, nesting pads that were used to sample the room floor during husbandry procedures at 1, 2, 4, and 6 wk after inoculation of the mice were placed in cages with naïve mice. None of the mice exposed to the pads became MPV seropositive. To determine whether components from cages that had housed MPV-infected mice could transmit MPV, Swiss Webster mice were exposed to soiled bedding or used cages, drinking valves, food, cage bottoms, wire bars and filter tops, nesting material, or shelters. With the exception of drinking valves, all mice exposed to other components became MPV seropositive. Fourteen cages that had housed MPV-infected mice were washed but not autoclaved; mice housed in the washed cages did not become MPV seropositive. In conclusion, all cage components can serve as fomites, with the drinking valve being the least risky. Cage washing alone was sufficient to remove or inactivate MPV.
Insights
Mouse parvovirus (MPV) can transmit through contaminated cage components, but not through cage changes in a biosafety cabinet. Simple cage washing effectively inactivates the virus.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Laboratory Animal Science
- Infectious Disease Transmission
Background:
- Mouse parvovirus (MPV) is a significant pathogen in research mouse colonies.
- Understanding MPV transmission routes is crucial for maintaining disease-free animal models.
- Husbandry practices are potential sources of MPV transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the risk of MPV transmission via caging and husbandry procedures.
- To assess MPV transmission during cage changes in a biological safety cabinet.
- To determine the role of environmental contamination and cage components in MPV spread.
Main Methods:
- Inoculation of Swiss Webster mice with MPV.
- Interspersing infected and naïve mouse cages to assess airborne/direct contact transmission.
- Exposure of naïve mice to nesting pads from contaminated rooms.
- Exposure of naïve mice to various soiled cage components (bedding, valves, food, etc.).
- Housing naïve mice in washed (non-autoclaved) cages previously housing infected mice.
Main Results:
- No MPV transmission occurred during cage changes in a biological safety cabinet.
- Nesting pads from contaminated rooms did not transmit MPV.
- All cage components, except drinking valves, transmitted MPV when soiled.
- Cage washing alone was sufficient to prevent MPV transmission.
Conclusions:
- Mouse parvovirus transmission is primarily linked to direct contact with contaminated cage components.
- Drinking valves pose the lowest risk among cage components.
- Standard cage washing procedures are effective in eliminating MPV infectivity, preventing transmission.
