Purpose

The microbiological status (health status) of rodent colonies can have a profound affect on research results and should therefore be carefully monitored and controlled. One of the greatest means for potential cross contamination of rodent pathogens is the transportation and use of animals in investigator laboratories for experimental procedures. This SOP describes procedures investigators must follow in order to minimize cross contamination during transport between animal facilities and investigator laboratories. The procedures also minimize the allergen exposure to personnel working with and around rodents.

Materials

Microisolator Top for cage
Gloves
Clidox

Procedure

1. Enter the animal room following special instructions posted on the outside of the door when appropriate. At minimum this includes a laboratory coat and gloves.
2. Invert the water bottle during transport to prevent accidental flooding of the cage during transport.
   
3. Prior to removing an animal from the room for transport, the cage is covered with a clean microisolator top. Microisolator tops are polycarbonate tops designed for polycarbonate cages (Figure 1). They contain filter tops which prevents the ingress and egress of microbiological contaminants.
   
4. The outside of the cage is sprayed or wiped down with a freshly prepared solution of Clidox or other appropriate disinfectant. This minimizes cross contamination from the room to the laboratory.
   
5. The microisolator top can be secured during transport using a large rubber band, tape or other appropriate materials.
   
6. The actual transportation of animals must be accomplished following these guidelines:
   
   1. The transfer shall be made in the passenger compartment of a temperature controlled vehicle.
   2. The animals shall be protected from exposure to exogenous sources of contamination and other animals.
   3. The animals shall be in appropriate containers, and an appropriate number of animals shall be in each container as recommended by the ILAR Guide, USDA/PHS Policy, and/or other pertinent guidelines as recommended by the Attending Veterinarian and the IACUC.
   4. The transport container should be covered to minimize public exposure.
   5. The transfer shall be completed with a minimum number of stops to minimize the transport time.
   6. Animals shall be transferred by trained personnel.
   7. Questions about the requirements and guidelines should be directed to:
      
      1. IACUC, iacuc-staff@ucdavis.edu
      2. Office of the Attending Veterinarian (through the Health Monitoring Coordinator) at animaltransfer@ucdavis.edu or (530-752-7244)
         
7. If possible, animal manipulations in the laboratory should take place in a Class II Biological Safety Cabinet. This provides an environment that minimizes potential environmental exposure to the animals while they are outside of the cage, and prevents environmental contamination with microbes that the animal may be harboring (Mouse Hepatitis Virus for example). This practice will also minimizes allergen exposure to personnel in the laboratory. If procedures cannot take place in a Class II Biological Safety Cabinet, the health monitoring coordinator or facility manager needs to be consulted on the appropriate measures to minimize cross contamination during the procedure and for proper housing following the procedure.
   
8. While in the laboratory or procedure room, disinfect the surface where the animal will be manipulated to rid the environment of potential contaminants.
   
9. Remove the microisolator top handling only the outer portion of the lid and place it on the disinfected area topside down.
   
10. Disinfect gloves prior to manipulating the animal with Clidox (or other appropriate disinfectant) and remove the animal from the cage.
    
11. Place the microisolator lid back on the top of the cage.
    
12. Following the completion of the procedure, place the animal back in the cage and secure the microisolator top for transport back to the holding facility.
    
13. If the animals are to be used for teaching purposes, participants should wear the appropriate personnel protective equipment and the animals transferred to the laboratory or classroom as outlined in steps 1-3, 5 & 6. As an alternative to step 4, cages may be covered with an appropriate drape as outlined in 6(d). Manipulations do not need to occur in a Class II Biosafety Cabinet, but caution should be used to minimize potential cross contamination when animals are returned to the facility. Transportation back to the facility is done with a microisolator topped cage. Facility managers are typically aware of these precautions and should be consulted prior to returning teaching animals.
    
14. Enter the anteroom as described in step 1.
    
15. Spray or wipe the outside of the microisolator cage before entering the holding room.
    
16. Place the animal’s cage on the rack and remove the microisolator lid (if the animals are not normally housed in microisolator cages) and place the lid on the floor of the holding room and the animal care staff will see to it that it is properly sanitized.

Figure 3.
Mouse inside a properly constructed microisolator cage. Note the water bottle is not
inverted for transport.

Approved by IACUC: 7/21/05