IHMS™ Testing Program

Core testing program

The core testing program is comprised of virus detection, full bacteriology and parasitology. This testing predominantly uses sentinels, but in locations with immunodeficient animals, line animals may be used for the diagnostic portion of health monitoring (microbiology, molecular biology, and parasitology), with sentinels used for the serological portion. For all barrier housing units with static caging: Quarterly, Semiannual and Annual core panels test a minimum of 10 animals, and Monthly core panels test a minimum of 5 animals. For housing units with IVCs: Quarterly, Semiannual and Annual core panels test 1 animal per housing rack side. Additional cage level PCR and exhaust air duct (EAD) testing is performed in quarterly in IVC locations. In IVC locations, the three test programs (core testing, IVC PCR and exhaust air duct testing) rotate such that testing for one of the three program elements occurs each month.

Opportunist screening

IVC PCR testing

PCR testing is performed on fecal samples collected from line animal cages on IVC racks. 10 line animal cages per rack side are tested on a quarterly basis.

IVC exhaust air duct testing

PCR testing is performed on total nucleic acids extracted from the exhaust air duct (EAD) filter on each IVC rack. This testing is performed quarterly on each rack.

Isolator microbial monitoring