Developing a Performance Standard for Adequate Sanitization of Wire-Bar Lids

The wire-bar lids on rodent cages are an integral part of the microenvironment and as such can impact rodent health and wellbeing. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends changing wire-bar lids every other week but does not include a predetermined performance standard. To develop a sanitization performance standard, we evaluated the bacterial and other cellular burden of wire-bar lids over 4 wk. The results show no significant difference in ATP or bacterial burden over 3 wk of continuous use in conventional cages with standard rodent pelleted or high-fat diet or in IVC with an irradiated diet.