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Updated: Oct 15, 2025
Operating and Biocontainment Procedures of a Facility for Laboratory Mice with a Natural Microbiome: Immunophenotyping Procedure
Published on: December 13, 2024
Microbiological survey of Korean mouse facilities from 2014 to 2019
Sang Woon Kim1, Hi Jo Shin1, Se Hee Park1
1Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute for Biology and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-Gun Chungcheongbuk-Do 28116, Korea.
Abstract:
We surveyed mouse microbiological contamination rates by testing rates for common contaminants using serological, culture, and parasitological methods. A total of 21,292 experimentally housed mice from 206 animal facilities, including hospitals, universities, companies, and research institutes, were tested over a 6-year period from 2014 to 2019. The most commonly found contaminants were various species of nonpathogenic protozoa (47.2%). The most common pathogenic bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (21.2%), Pasteurella pneumotropica (12.5%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.8%). Mouse hepatitis virus (6.1%) was detected, but no other viral or bacterial pathogens were found. These results establish that the main pathogens that currently contaminate mouse facilities in Korea are opportunistic pathogens and that contamination with important pathogens, such as those in Categories B or C, has decreased.
Insights
Microbiological contamination in research mice in Korea is primarily due to opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus. Important pathogen contamination has decreased, indicating improved facility hygiene for experimental mice.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Animal Research Hygiene
- Infectious Disease Surveillance
Background:
- Maintaining microbiological control in research animal facilities is critical for reproducible scientific outcomes.
- Previous data on the prevalence of specific contaminants in Korean mouse facilities were limited.
- Understanding current contamination profiles is essential for refining animal care and facility management protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively assess the microbiological contamination rates in experimentally housed mice across various Korean research facilities.
- To identify the most prevalent pathogenic and nonpathogenic contaminants affecting mouse populations.
- To evaluate trends in contamination by significant pathogens over a six-year period.
Main Methods:
- A large-scale survey involving 21,292 mice from 206 facilities was conducted between 2014 and 2019.
- Serological, culture, and parasitological testing methods were employed to detect a wide range of potential contaminants.
- Data analysis focused on identifying common species and calculating contamination prevalence rates.
Main Results:
- Nonpathogenic protozoa were the most frequent contaminants, found in 47.2% of surveyed mice.
- The primary pathogenic bacteria identified were Staphylococcus aureus (21.2%), Pasteurella pneumotropica (12.5%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.8%).
- Mouse hepatitis virus was detected in 6.1% of mice; no other viral or bacterial pathogens were identified.
Conclusions:
- Opportunistic pathogens represent the main microbiological challenge in current Korean mouse research facilities.
- A significant decrease in contamination by major pathogens (Categories B or C) was observed.
- These findings suggest improvements in animal facility hygiene and pathogen control strategies in Korea.
