Testing frequency, methodology and sample number is based on an assessment of biosecurity and risk level, and varies depending on whether the location uses static or individually ventilated caging (IVC) or is isolator-raised. IVCs are more biosecure, but pose some diagnostic challenges, which Taconic addresses through additional testing elements. Taconic has designed a multifaceted testing program in which agents of highest concern are screened using different methodologies to increase the likelihood of accurate and rapid detection.
International Health Monitoring System™
Core testing program
Opportunist screening
IVC PCR testing
IVC exhaust air duct testing
Isolator microbial monitoring
Bacteria 16S rRNA gene screening
Predominantly sentinel-based health testing comprised of virus detection, full bacteriology, and parasitology. Core testing occurs in ALL Taconic production locations. Agents are typically tested quarterly in gnotobiotic isolators (GF/DF standards) and IVC locations (some RF and OF colonies) or monthly (static cage RF colonies), but this varies by agent. Click for full details on test method and frequency.
Monthly culture-based screening to detect non-tolerated opportunists at the RF and OF standards (aerobic culture). Click for full details on agents tested and test methods.
Additional cage level testing of line animals via PCR in locations using IVC housing. This added screening uses a different test methodology from the core testing program to enhance the overall detectability of key agents and is designed to address the challenge of animal health monitoring in IVCs. Click for full details on agents tested and frequency.
Screening of the exhaust air from IVC cages to provide a snapshot of all cages on a rack. This method is particularly well suited to detection of certain agents. Click for full details on agents tested and frequency.
Culture-based screening to detect bacterial and fungal contamination of gnotobiotic isolators (aerobic and anaerobic culture). Click for full details on test method and frequency.
16S PCR screening in Germ Free isolators to detect bacterial rRNA genes. Testing is performed on pooled fecal samples from each isolator on a monthly basis.
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 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.
Agents
Species Tested
Test Method
RF™/MPF™ Static Cage Frequency
RF, OF Individually Ventilated Cage Frequency
GF/DF Frequency
Viruses
Kilham
Rat Virus (KRV)
R
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Minute
Virus of Mice (MVM)
M
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Mouse
Encephalomyelitis Virus (GDVII)/ Rat Theilovirus (RTV)
M, R
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Mouse
Hepatitis Virus (MHV)
M
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Murine
Norovirus (MNV)
M
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Mouse
Parvovirus (MPV)
M
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Mouse
Rotavirus (EDIM)
M
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Pneumonia
Virus (PVM)
M, R
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Rat
Coronavirus (RCV)/Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV)
R
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Rat
Minute Virus (RMV)
R
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Rat
Parvovirus (RPV)
R
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Rat
Polyomavirus 2 (RPyV2)
R
MFI
Annually
Annually
Annually
Rat
Rotavirus (IDIR)
R
MFI
Annually
Annually
Annually
Toolan's
H1 Virus (TH1)
R
MFI
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Ectromelia
Virus
M
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Hantaan
Virus
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
K Virus
M
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Lymphocytic
Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM)
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Mouse
Adenovirus I and II (FL and K87)
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Mouse
Cytomegalovirus (MCMV)
M
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Mouse Kidney Parvovirus (MKPV)
M
PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Polyoma
Virus (mouse)
M
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Reovirus
(Reo 3)
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Sendai
Virus
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Thymic
Virus
M
MFI
Semiannually
Semiannually
Semiannually
Lactate
Dehydrogenase Elevating Virus (LDHV)
M
MFI
Annually
Annually
Annually
Bacteria,
mycoplasma, fungi
Beta
hemolytic Streptococcus (non Group D)
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Bordetella
bronchiseptica
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Filobacterium rodentium (CAR Bacillus)
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Citrobacter
rodentium
M
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Clostridium
piliforme
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Corynebacterium
bovis
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Dermatophytes
M, R
PCR
Annually
Annually
Annually
Corynebacterium
kutscheri
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Helicobacter
spp.
M, R
PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Klebsiella
oxytoca
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Klebsiella
pneumoniae
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Mycoplasma
pulmonis
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Pasteurella
multocida
M, R
PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Pneumocystis
spp.
M, R
PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Proteus
spp.
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Rodentibacter heylii
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Rodentibacter pneumotropicus
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Salmonella
spp.
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Staphylococcus
aureus
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Streptococcus
pneumoniae
M, R
Culture/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Streptobacillus
moniliformis
M, R
PCR
Annually
Annually
Annually
Parasites
Endoparasites
M, R
Microscopy/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
↳ Encephalitozoon
cuniculi
M, R
MFI
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Ectoparasites
M, R
Microscopy/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Enteric Helminths
M, R
Microscopy/PCR
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Opportunist screening
Opportunist screening (RF, OF, EF)
Sample frequency
Source of microbial samples
Number of samples
RF: Aerobic cultures for beta hemolytic Streptococci, K. oxytoca, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, P. multocida OF: Aerobic cultures for beta hemolytic Streptococci, K. oxytoca, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, P. multocida, Proteus spp.
Monthly
Fecal pellets
For locations with static caging: four random cages per housing rack and all sentinel cages. For locations with individually ventilated cages: 1 column per housing rack and all sentinel cages.
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.
Rat Coronavirus (RCV)/Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV)
R
X
Rat Minute Virus (RMV)
R
X
Rat Parvovirus (RPV)
R
X
Toolan's H1 Virus (TH1)
R
X
Corynebacterium bovis
M,R
X
X
Pasteurella multocida
M,R
X
X
Rodentibacter heylii
M,R
X
X
Rodentibacter pneumotropicus
M,R
X
X
Aspiculuris tetraptera
M,R
X
X
Syphacia spp.
M,R
X
X
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.
1. Not all IVC racks are compatible with
exhaust air duct (EAD) filters. Where possible, EAD filters will
be installed and tested, but some locations will not perform
this testing due to the rack-filter incompatibility.
Restricted Flora™ (RF™) health standard — static
caging locations
Core testing program
Opportunist screening
IVC PCR testing
IVC exhaust air duct testing
Isolator microbial monitoring
Bacteria 16S rRNA gene screening
Agent
Species tested
Applicable
Applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Viruses
Kilham Rat Virus (KRV)
R
Monthly
Minute Virus of Mice (MVM)
M
Monthly
Mouse Encephalomyelitis Virus (GDVII)/ Rat Theilovirus
(RTV)
M, R
Monthly
Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV)
M
Monthly
Murine Norovirus (MNV)
M
Monthly
Mouse Parvovirus (MPV)
M
Monthly
Mouse Rotavirus (EDIM)
M
Monthly
Pneumonia Virus(PVM)
M, R
Monthly
Rat Coronavirus (RCV)/Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV)
R
Monthly
Rat Minute Virus (RMV)
R
Monthly
Rat Parvovirus (RPV)
R
Monthly
Rat Polyomavirus 2 (RPyV2)
R
Annually
Rat Rotavirus (IDIR)
R
Annually
Toolan's H1 Virus (TH1)
R
Monthly
Ectromelia Virus
M
Quarterly
Hantaan Virus
M, R
Quarterly
K Virus
M
Quarterly
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM)
M, R
Quarterly
Mouse Adenovirus I and II (FL and K87)
M, R
Quarterly
Mouse Cytomegalovirus (MCMV)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Kidney Parvovirus (MKPV)
M
Quarterly
Polyoma Virus (mouse)
M
Quarterly
Reovirus (Reo 3)
M, R
Quarterly
Sendai Virus
M, R
Quarterly
Thymic Virus
M
Semiannually
Lactate Dehydrogenase Elevating Virus (LDHV)
M
Annually
Bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi
Beta hemolytic Streptococcus (non Group D)
M, R
Quarterly
Monthly
Bordetella bronchiseptica
M, R
Quarterly
Filobacterium rodentium (CAR Bacillus)
M, R
Quarterly
Citrobacter rodentium
M
Quarterly
Clostridium piliforme
M, R
Quarterly
Corynebacterium bovis
M, R
Quarterly
Corynebacterium kutscheri
M, R
Quarterly
Dermatophytes
M, R
Annually
Helicobacter spp.
M, R
Quarterly
Klebsiella oxytoca
M, R
Quarterly
Monthly
Klebsiella pneumoniae
M, R
Quarterly
Monthly
Mycoplasma pulmonis
M, R
Quarterly
Pasteurella multocida
M, R
Quarterly
Monthly
Pneumocystis spp.
M, R
Quarterly
Proteus spp.
M, R
Quarterly
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
M, R
Quarterly
Monthly
Rodentibacter heylii
M, R
Quarterly
Rodentibacter pneumotropicus
M, R
Quarterly
Salmonella spp.
M, R
Quarterly
Staphylococcus aureus
M, R
Quarterly
Monthly
Streptococcus pneumoniae
M, R
Quarterly
Streptobacillus moniliformis
M, R
Annually
Parasites
Endoparasites
M, R
Quarterly
↳ Encephalitozoon cuniculi
M, R
Quarterly
Ectoparasites
M, R
Quarterly
Ectoparasites
M, R
Quarterly
Restricted Flora™ (RF™) and Opportunist Free™ (OF™) health
standards — individually ventilated caging locations
1. Not all IVC racks are compatible with
exhaust air duct (EAD) filters. Where possible, EAD filters will
be installed and tested, but some locations will not perform
this testing due to the rack-filter incompatibility.
Defined Flora (DF) health standard
Core testing program
Opportunist screening
IVC PCR testing
IVC exhaust air duct testing
Isolator microbial monitoring
Bacteria 16S rRNA gene screening
Agent
Species tested
Applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Applicable
Not applicable
Viruses
Kilham Rat Virus (KRV)
R
Quarterly
Minute Virus of Mice (MVM)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Encephalomyelitis Virus (GDVII)/ Rat Theilovirus
(RTV)
M, R
Quarterly
Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV)
M
Quarterly
Murine Norovirus (MNV)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Parvovirus (MPV)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Rotavirus (EDIM)
M
Quarterly
Pneumonia Virus(PVM)
M, R
Quarterly
Rat Coronavirus (RCV)/Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV)
R
Quarterly
Rat Minute Virus (RMV)
R
Quarterly
Rat Parvovirus (RPV)
R
Quarterly
Rat Polyomavirus 2 (RPyV2)
R
Annually
Rat Rotavirus (IDIR)
R
Annually
Toolan's H1 Virus (TH1)
R
Quarterly
Ectromelia Virus
M
Quarterly
Hantaan Virus
M, R
Quarterly
K Virus
M
Quarterly
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM)
M, R
Quarterly
Mouse Adenovirus I and II (FL and K87)
M, R
Quarterly
Mouse Cytomegalovirus (MCMV)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Kidney Parvovirus (MKPV)
M
Quarterly
Polyoma Virus (mouse)
M
Quarterly
Reovirus (Reo 3)
M, R
Quarterly
Sendai Virus
M, R
Quarterly
Thymic Virus
M
Semiannually
Lactate Dehydrogenase Elevating Virus (LDHV)
M
Annually
Bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi
All bacterial, mycoplasma, fungal contaminants monitored
bi-weekly
Beta hemolytic Streptococcus (non Group D)
M, R
Quarterly
Bordetella bronchiseptica
M, R
Quarterly
Filobacterium rodentium (CAR Bacillus)
M, R
Quarterly
Citrobacter rodentium
M
Quarterly
Clostridium piliforme
M, R
Quarterly
Corynebacterium bovis
M, R
Quarterly
Corynebacterium kutscheri
M, R
Quarterly
Dermatophytes
M, R
Annually
Helicobacter spp.
M, R
Quarterly
Klebsiella oxytoca
M, R
Quarterly
Klebsiella pneumoniae
M, R
Quarterly
Mycoplasma pulmonis
M, R
Quarterly
Pasteurella multocida
M, R
Quarterly
Pneumocystis spp.
M, R
Quarterly
Proteus spp.
M, R
Quarterly
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
M, R
Quarterly
Rodentibacter heylii
M, R
Quarterly
Rodentibacter pneumotropicus
M, R
Quarterly
Salmonella spp.
M, R
Quarterly
Staphylococcus aureus
M, R
Quarterly
Streptococcus pneumoniae
M, R
Quarterly
Streptobacillus moniliformis
M, R
Annually
Parasites
Endoparasites
M, R
Quarterly
↳ Encephalitozoon cuniculi
M, R
Quarterly
Ectoparasites
M, R
Quarterly
Enteric Helminths
M, R
Quarterly
Germ Free (GF) health standard
Core testing program
Opportunist screening
IVC PCR testing
IVC exhaust air duct testing
Isolator microbial monitoring
Bacteria 16S rRNA gene screening
Agent
Species tested
Applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Applicable
Applicable
Viruses
Kilham Rat Virus (KRV)
R
Quarterly
Minute Virus of Mice (MVM)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Encephalomyelitis Virus (GDVII)/ Rat Theilovirus
(RTV)
M, R
Quarterly
Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV)
M
Quarterly
Murine Norovirus (MNV)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Parvovirus (MPV)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Rotavirus (EDIM)
M
Quarterly
Pneumonia Virus(PVM)
M, R
Quarterly
Rat Coronavirus (RCV)/Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV)
R
Quarterly
Rat Minute Virus (RMV)
R
Quarterly
Rat Parvovirus (RPV)
R
Quarterly
Rat Polyomavirus 2 (RPyV2)
R
Annually
Rat Rotavirus (IDIR)
R
Annually
Toolan's H1 Virus (TH1)
R
Quarterly
Ectromelia Virus
M
Quarterly
Hantaan Virus
M, R
Quarterly
K Virus
M
Quarterly
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM)
M, R
Quarterly
Mouse Adenovirus I and II (FL and K87)
M, R
Quarterly
Mouse Cytomegalovirus (MCMV)
M
Quarterly
Mouse Kidney Parvovirus (MKPV)
M
Quarterly
Polyoma Virus (mouse)
M
Quarterly
Reovirus (Reo 3)
M, R
Quarterly
Sendai Virus
M, R
Quarterly
Thymic Virus
M
Semiannually
Lactate Dehydrogenase Elevating Virus (LDHV)
M
Annually
Bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi
All bacterial, mycoplasma, fungal contaminants monitored
weekly
Bacteria 16S rRNA gene screening performed monthly
