Microbiological Standardization

Question 1

Zoonoses

Answer 1

• microorganisms present in laboratory animals which can also affect humans
• e.g. Streptobacillus moniliformis, cultivated in the nasopharynx of healthy rats, causes rat-bite fever in humans

Question 2

Tichophytosis

Answer 2

• fungal zoonosis present in many mammals

- in humans manifests as skin disease with circular lesions (ringworm)

Question 3

Main sources and paths of contamination of lab animals:

Answer 3

• laboratory animals
• biological material (sera, cells, tissues, organs)
• pet animals
• personnel
• materials & equipment

Question 4

classification of lab animals based on their microbiological qualities:

Answer 4

• conventional
• germ free
• specified pathogen free

Question 5

Gnotobiotic animals:

Answer 5

• animals which harbor a fully known microflora and/or fauna

Question 6

What is rederivation?

Answer 6

• the process of creating a nucleus of animals for starting a new colony free from pathogenic microorganisms
• two popular ways: histerectomy and opening of the uterus in sterile environment, or Caesarean section and immediate transfer of pups to sterile environment

Question 7

Types of microbiological barrier systems:

Answer 7

• absolute barrier (isolator)
• classical SPF barrier (preventative hygienic measures to avoid the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms; sterilization of materials & equipment)
• modified barrier systems (e.g. for short term experiments hardly any preventative measures are taken
• reversed classical barrier (isolation units to protect environment from microorganisms carried by the animal

Question 8

Important disease history & background features (anamnesis)

Answer 8

• General info about the group of animals (species, strain, sex, age, microbiological status, orgin & source, date of delivery, use)
• Info about the environment (animal room; barriers, type & size of cage, # of animals per cage, diet & drinking water, bedding, hygiene & sanitation, light-dark regime, veentilation, air quality, humidity, temp)
• history of disease and clinical signs (nature of clinical signs, onset, duration, severity, # of animals affected, breeding results, seasonal associations, abnormalities in experimental results)
• info about experimental procedures (surgical interventions, treatments with substances or microorganisms)

Question 9

List of characteristics to check during a clinical examination:

Answer 9

• general condition (body weight, appearance, temperature, color, etc.)
• respiratory system (freq & type of resp. movements)
• circulatory (heart rate, color of mucous membranes, presence of oedema)
• digestive (food intake, production of feces, appearance of feces, inspection of the mouth, abdominal palpation, wetness or fecal matter around anus_
• urinary (drinking, production & color of urine)
• skin (hydration status, presence of wounds or lesions)
• musculoskeletal (posture, locomotion, muscular weakness or fractures, abnormalities of joints or feet or toes)
• nervous (behavior, paralysis or seizures, reactivity to environmental stimuli)