Microbiological contamination of laboratory mice and rats in Korea from 2004 to 2006

Abstract

To survey the microbiological contamination of laboratory mice and rats in Korea during a 3 years period from 2004 to 2006, we monitored animals housed in mouse and rat facilities with barrier system. In barrier animal facility in Korea, the most important virus in the identified pathogen was Sendai virus and rodent corona virus, and Pasteurella pneumotropica and Staphylococcus aureus were identified most common bacteria pathogens in Korea. The most common protozoon in the identified pathogen was Tritrichomonas spp. in mouse facilities and Entameoba spp. in rat facilities. At present, Sendai virus contamination in animal facilities were decreased but investigation of this virus infection about other barrier and conventional animal facilities were not studied, so that this area may act recontamination source about this virus. On the base of this result, we suggested that proper animal facility operation program including regular or irregular microbiological monitoring and renovation should be need to decrease pathogen contamination in Korea animal facilities.