ABSTRACT
We here present a review of the problem of controlling airborne disease transmission in animal research facilities, with emphasis on engineering design and air-treatment technologies. Dilution ventilation, pressurization control, source control, and air disinfection and removal systems are reviewed, and analytical studies on the effects of dilution ventilation, filtration, and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation are summarized. In addition, we discuss practical problems common to laboratory facilities and present a database of potential airborne pathogens and allergens that can be transmitted between humans and animals. We offer some conclusions regarding the design and selection of available technologies and components and provide cost estimates for various air-cleaning systems.
Subject(s)
Air Microbiology , Animal Diseases/prevention & control , Animal Diseases/transmission , Animals, Laboratory , Infection Control/methods , Adsorption , Air Microbiology/standards , Animal Diseases/microbiology , Animal Diseases/virology , Animals , Animals, Laboratory/microbiology , Animals, Laboratory/virology , Atmospheric Pressure , Disinfection/instrumentation , Disinfection/methods , Filtration/methods , Housing, Animal/standards , Infection Control/economics , Infection Control/instrumentation , Ultraviolet Rays , Ventilation/instrumentation , Ventilation/methodsABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine if the subcutaneous chamber technique would reduce the number of rabbits required for antisera production by enabling serial use of individual animals for multiple antigens. Rabbits were assigned to immunization protocols against two antigens in series that involved combinations of chamber implantation, Freund's adjuvant and injection of antigen either by the subcutaneous route or by direct inoculation into the chamber. Results indicate the systemic immune response to both antigens achieved similar magnitude and duration by use of either Freund's adjuvant or direct inoculation of antigen into the chamber, suggesting that chamber use may be able to replace use of Complete Freund's adjuvant for many antigens. Rabbits re-used for a second antigen were equally successful in production of significant titres in both serum and chamber fluid without evidence of either a significant inflammatory response due to the chronic presence of the implant or a decrease in the yield of antisera harvested from the chamber. These results support the advantages of chamber use as reported by others and demonstrate that the chamber technique can significantly extend the productive life of an individual animal that would otherwise be euthanized following a single use in antisera production.
