Microbiological Quality Assurance and Quality Assessment of Laboratory Animals

Abstract

In the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Hygiene several animal species and strains are used in various fields of study. About 90% of the 125000 rodents and rabbits annually used are bred within the Institute (1986–87) Considering each combination of a species, a strain and a source as a population, 19 populations are produced and 27 are imported, qualitively ranging from germfree to conventional. For various reasons much attention is paid to the microbiological quality of experimental animals and animal experiments. Zoonotic infections, morbidity and mortality in experimental animals, as well as more subtle interference with experimental data have promoted the introduction of specified pathogen free (SPF) animals. According to international requirements, animals used for the production of live virusvaccins and monoclonal antibodies to be used in man, must be free of all potentially pathogenic micro-organisms and viruses.