Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/70499

JaLCDOI : 10.14943/jjvr.66.2.125

KEYWORDS : exhaust air dust (EAD);monitoring

Bedding sentinel programs have been the standard method for monitoring the health status of rodents housed in individually ventilated cages. However, it has been reported that some infectious microorganisms cannot be detected by bedding sentinels. Thus, more sensitive microbiological monitoring methods are needed. In the present study, we assessed the sensitivity of the SentinelTM EADR program, developed by Allentown Inc. and Charles River Laboratories Inc., which involves a combination of exhaust air dust and environmental PCR testing. We compared the sensitivity of SentinelTM EADR to that of bedding sentinels and fecal samples collected from mice housed in rooms. In conclusion, SentinelTM EADR was more sensitive than the bedding sentinel method.