Comparison of Rodent Infectious Agent Detection by Exhaust Dust Testing and Traditional Sentinel Testing Using Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Improved diagnostic capabilities and a desire to reduce or refine the use of animals as soiled bedding sentinels (SBS) have driven interest in developing the use of PCR-based testing methods, such as exhaust dust testing (EDT), for routine rodent health surveillance. We compared the absolute and quantitative PCR results from EDT filters with SBS mice by routine screening via a panel of 19 infectious agents including agents known to be excluded or present in the colony. In this study, EDT and SBS were compared at days 0, 90, and 180 in 3 facilities ( = 12 rooms) with animals housed on IVC racks ( = 19 double-sided and 23 single-sided racks).

A Qualitative Study Exploring Singaporean Parents' Perceptions on PreParing their Child for Surgery.

Purpose: To explore the perceptions of parents regarding the preparation of their children for surgery.

Design And Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Sixteen parents of children who were undergoing various types of elective surgery in a public tertiary hospital in Singapore were recruited.

Helicobacter spp. in wild mice (Peromyscus leucopus) found in laboratory animal facilities.

Wild rodents are a potential source for pathogen introduction into laboratory animal research facilities. A study was designed to assess wild mice found at our institution by infectious disease surveillance. Wild white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were captured with live capture traps placed in areas in which wild mice had been reported in several animal facilities.