RIKEN BRC has changed monitoring interval of Hantaan virus and dermatophytes from bimonthly to semi-annually using sentinel mice in the barrier facility
Since Hantaan virus (Class A agent) and dermatophytes (Class B agent) can infect mice and are considered to be zoonotic pathogens,
RIKEN BRC has conducted the following (1)-(4) tests since our establishment in 2001.
For the classification of pathogenic agents, please refer Quality Control @
https://mus.brc.riken.jp/en/quality_control
- (1) Each deposited mouse is tested serologically for Class A agents including Hantaan virus.
- (2) Class A and B agents including Hantaan virus and dermatophytes are tested every three months using sentinel mice by the regular health monitoring of the breeding facility of the deposited mice prior to rederivation*.
- (3) The rederived mice are examined by using foster mother(s) for Class A and B agents including Hantaan virus and dermatophytes*.
- (4) Class A and B agents including Hantaan virus and dermatophytes are tested bimonthly using sentinel mice by the regular health monitoring of the barrier facility for the rederived mice*.
* Class C and/or D agents are tested for the designated mouse strains.
We have reviewed our past results of the above tests (1)-(4) in our facility and decided to change the testing interval of Hantaan virus and dermatophytes from bimonthly to semi-annually starting from August 2013. Main reasons of this change are as follows:
A) Natural infection of Hantaan virus in experimental mice has not been reported [1].
B) Mice do not transmit Hantaan viruses vertically [2].
C) Hantaan virus and dermatophytes can be eliminated by rederivation.
D) Neither Hantaan virus nor dermatophytes has been detected in the tests of (1)-(4) or (2)-(4), respectively, since 2001.
In the current revision, RIKEN BRC has changed only the interval of the (4) test for the both pathogens, but not the other pathogenic tests of (1)-(3). We consider that we can detect any infection of Hantaan virus by the tests (1)-(3) and dermatophytes by the tests (2) and (3).
RIKEN BRC revises its health monitoring program as the occasion arises and explains the change to users. Please contact us through animal.brc@riken.jp if you have any questions regarding this change.
Important note:
Request of additional tests from a user for Hantaan virus and dermatophytes will incur extra fees of 2,800 JPY per test and 1,800 JPY per test, respectively.
[1] “Dealing manual of infections of experimental animals” K. Maejima (Ed), Published by Adthree Corp., p.98, 2000. (In Japanese)
[2] “Lack of vertical transmission of Hantaan virus from persistently infected dam to progeny in laboratory mice”, M. Taruishi et al. Arch. Virol. 2008. 153(8): 1605-1609.
