Guidelines > ACS Testing Policy for Transplantable Cell Lines
Animal Care Services requires rodent pathogen testing of all tumor and transplantable cell lines that are of rodent origin or lines that are maintained and passed in rodents.
ACS requests that cell lines not be used in the facility until test results are completed. A copy of the test results must be filed with the IACUC approved protocol, and reviewed by an ACS Veterinarian.
ACS can provide this service or can assist you with any questions you may have about this process. Please contact the diagnostic lab at 846-1383 or bzamora@ufl.edu
Several labs offer PCR test panels that can accurately detect the presence of rodent pathogens in cell lines. Cost generally runs $500-1000.00 to test for 23 mouse agents, rat panels are generally similarly priced.
Additional information can be obtained by visiting the sites listed below or by reviewing the brief summary below.
http://www.criver.com/techdocs/documents/Virus_PCR_Assay_Panels_Article.pdf
http://www.radil.missouri.edu/info/index.asp
Rodents are susceptible to a large variety of viral and bacterial agents. Commonly encountered pathogens include parvoviruses and corona viruses. Parvoviruses target rapidly dividing cells of the intestinal and lymphoid tissues, they are common in rodents and are a common contaminant of transplantable tumors. MHV is a very commonly encountered corona virus that can replicate in numerous tissues including lymphoid organs, and bone marrow. This virus may also be a common contaminant of transplantable cell lines. Many other pathogens may also be encountered.
Numerous other viruses and bacteria may be prevalent in some facilities and many of these pathogens can cause significant immunologic alterations and in some cases they may also induce significant morbidity and mortality of rodents.
These more common viruses seldom produce significant clinical disease in immunocompetent adults, however disease expression is influenced by many factors including age, genotype, and immune status. However these pathogens have been shown to significantly alter immunologic and physiologic parameters.
Numerous labs offer PCR test panels that can accurately detect the presence of rodent pathogens in tumor and transplantable cell lines. Labs generally require minimum samples however requirements vary with the testing lab and according to the test panels requested. To test biological specimens or cultured cells a few cryovials of each sample with a given number of cells/vial are required. Collection of material must be performed aseptically. Cost varies with the lab and the panel requested. Panels are available for other species such as hamsters.
