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The research animal
diagnostic laboratory at Washington University provides the following services
in support of animal health: Necropsy, Serology, Bacteriology,
Parasitology, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology and
Histopathology.
· The
laboratory is headed by Suellen Greco DVM
· Ms.
Paula Carmody is responsible for all bacteriology
and serologic testing.
· Ms. Luethia (Niecey) Hinkle is
responsible for gross necropsy, preparation of tissues for histopathologic processing and clinical
pathology.
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Diagnostic
Programs for Rodent Health
Sentinel
Program
Mouse/Rat
Antibody Production Test
Rodent Quarantine Program
Post
mortem evaluation
Sentinel
Program
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Rodent health surveillance
is based on colony health concepts. To survey rodent rooms for murine pathogens, sentinel animals are placed in the
room and exposed to potential pathogens by exposing them to soiled bedding
from other rodents in the room. Two animals from each room are submitted
for each sentinel run. Sentinel exams are performed on a
quarterly basis for the following tests:
- Gross necropsy
- Histopathology of
representative tissues are taken.
- Bacterial cultures are
taken for respiratory and enteric pathogens.
- Specimens are collected
for both endoparasites and ectoparasites.
- Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays are performed for pathogens
of mice, rats, hamsters, guinea
pigs.
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Mice:
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Ectromelia (mouse pox)
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Epizootic diarrhea of infant mice (rotavirus)
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GDVII (mouse polio)
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K virus
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Lymphocytic choriomenigitis virus
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Minute virus of mice
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Mouse adenovirus
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Mouse cytomegalovirus
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Mouse hepatitis virus
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Mycoplasma pulmonis
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Pneumonia virus of mice
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Polyoma virus
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Orphan mouse parvovirus
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REO 3
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Sendai virus
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Rats:
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CAR Bacillus
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Kilham rat virus
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Mycoplasma pulmonis
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Orphan rat parvovirus
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Pneumonia virus of mice
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Sendai
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Sialodacryoadenitis virus/rat coronavirus
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Toolan's H1
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Hamsters:
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Lymphocytic choriomenigitis virus
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Pneumonia virus of mice
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REO 3
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SV5
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Sendai virus
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Guinea
Pigs:
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Lymphocytic choriomenigitis virus
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Pneumonia virus of mice
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REO 3
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SV5
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Sendai virus
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Mouse/Rat Antibody Production Test (MAP, RAP)
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Cell
lines and tumors may carry murine viruses such as
mouse hepatitis virus which could become active in inoculated mice or
rats. This would pose a serious health/ research threat to the
inoculated animals and the entire colony as well. Mouse hepatitis
virus, Mycoplasma, minute virus of mice and ectromelia are examples of viruses which have been
passed to mice via contaminated cell lines, tissues or tumors. If a
sample of the cell line is inoculated into test mice, they should develop
an antibody titer within 4 weeks following inoculation. As for the sentinel
program, blood is taken and tested for those antibodies which indicate the
presence of murine viruses.
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Rodent
Quarantine Program
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Mice
from sources with unknown disease status are housed in quarantine with
sentinels for 4 weeks and sentinels submitted for full health screen. A
gross necropsy is performed. Representative tissues are taken, fixed in
formalin, and processed for histopathology. Bacterial cultures are taken
for respiratory and enteric pathogens, specimens
are collected and evaluated for both endoparasites
and ectoparasites. As for the sentinel program,
blood is taken and tested for those antibodies which indicate the presence
of murine viruses.
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Post Mortem Evaluation
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Antemortem testing to arrive at a diagnosis often is
not possible in rodents which are found severely ill or moribund.
Using a colony health approach, one or two sick animals are submitted to
necropsy to determine if the problem is an infectious disease and thus
a threat to the colony. Tests are selected based on a differential
diagnosis supported by clinical signs and history. These submissions
in combination with the sentinel program increase the likelihood
of detecting disease early enough to prevent the spread to
other colonies.
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For
example, A/J mice are very resistant to MHV, and while they may manifest no
clinical signs, research results could be adversely affected. Often the
only clue to infectious disease in rodents is unexpected
research results or experiments that do not give reproducible results.
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Diagnostic
Programs/Services
Quarantine
of Non-Human Primates
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Programs
for quarantine and conditioning of primates have been developed over the
years to address the question of zoonotic disease exposure as well as loss
of animals to infectious disease. The diagnostic lab performs the
following tests as a part of this program: Complete blood cell count and
differential, clinical chemistry to evaluate liver and kidney function,
fecal exams for helminths and protozoa. Bacterial
cultures are performed as needed.
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Clinical
Pathology - All Species
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Of all
the services, these and clinical bacteriology are most routinely used to
diagnose disease or monitor treatment in non-rodent species. These
services are used pre and post operatively, in addition to ruling in or out
a diagnosis on a sick animal. Pre and post operative tests most commonly
include a complete blood cell count with differential, and chemistries to
evaluate liver and kidney function.
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Clinical
Microbiology - All Species
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Culture
swabs, aspirates etc. are submitted to the lab from lesions in animals
suspected of having bacterial or fungal infections. Facilities are available
for both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures and antibiotic
sensitivities (limited to aerobic species at present).
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Clinical Parasitology
- All Species
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Fecal samples
are submitted when intestinal parasites are suspected. Used routinely are
fecal flotation for eggs of common intestinal worms and direct smear for
protozoan parasites.
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For
rodents, tape is applied to the pelt to detect pin worm eggs.
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Necropsy Room Use
The Large Animal Necropsy
Room is located in CSRB Basement and can be used by non-DCM personnel. It is
supervised by DCM Large Animal Surgery. Users must schedule the time with
Charles Mitchell (362-8339).
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Users
are expected to clean up after use. This includes removing trash, as well
as washing down any soiled areas.
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The Lab
will be checked every Friday morning. Anything which does not belong to the
DCM will be thrown out. This includes used scrubs, drapes, animal tissue
and small instruments.
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Any
large pieces of equipment left on Fridays will be placed in the hall by the
Necropsy room.
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Special
arrangements for overnight use can be made with personnel listed above.
These arrangements are for the specific day or weekend only and are not a
permanent permission.
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