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Detection of Lactate Dehydrogenase Elevating Virus in a Mouse Vivarium Using an Exhaust Air Dust Health Monitoring
Kerith R Luchins1, Darya Mailhiot2, Betty R Theriault3
1Animal Resources Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois;,
Abstract:
Lactate dehydrogenase elevating virus (LDV) continues to be one of the most common contaminants of cells and cell byproducts. As such, many institutions require that tumor cell lines, blood products, and products derived or passaged in rodent tissues are free of LDV as well as other pathogens that are on institutional exclusion lists prior to their use in rodents. LDV is difficult to detect by using a live-animal sentinel health monitoring program because the virus does not reliably pass to sentinel animals. After switching to an exhaust air dust health monitoring system, our animal resources center was able to detect a presumably long-standing LDV infection in a mouse colony. This health monitoring system uses IVC rack exhaust air dust collection media in conjunction with PCR analysis. Ultimately, the source of the contamination was identified as multiple LDV-positive patient-derived xenografts and multiple LDV-positive breeding animals. This case study is the first to demonstrate the use of environmental PCR testing as a method for detecting LDV infection in a mouse vivarium.
Insights
Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) is a common contaminant. Environmental PCR testing of exhaust air dust effectively detected a long-standing LDV infection in a mouse colony, identifying contaminated xenografts and breeding animals.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Virology
- Animal Model Research
Background:
- Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) is a frequent contaminant in cell cultures and animal products.
- LDV contamination poses a significant challenge for research institutions, necessitating pathogen-free rodent models.
- Traditional sentinel animal monitoring is unreliable for detecting LDV due to poor viral transmission to sentinels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an alternative method for detecting LDV in a research setting.
- To identify the source of a persistent LDV infection within a mouse colony.
- To evaluate the efficacy of environmental PCR testing for LDV surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of an exhaust air dust health monitoring system in an animal resources center.
- Collection of dust samples from IVC (individually ventilated cage) rack exhaust.
- Analysis of dust samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for LDV detection.
Main Results:
- The exhaust air dust monitoring system successfully detected a long-standing LDV infection.
- The source of contamination was traced to LDV-positive patient-derived xenografts and breeding animals.
- This study represents the first documented use of environmental PCR for LDV detection in a vivarium.
Conclusions:
- Environmental PCR testing of exhaust air dust is a viable and effective method for detecting LDV.
- This approach overcomes the limitations of sentinel animal monitoring for LDV surveillance.
- Identifying and eliminating sources like xenografts and breeding animals is crucial for maintaining LDV-free colonies.
