Abstract
Murine Astrovirus is one of the most prevalent viral agents in laboratory rodent facilities worldwide, but its influence on biomedical research results is poorly examined. Due to possible influence on research results and high seroprevalence rates in mice, it appears useful to include this virus into routine health monitoring programs. In order to establish exhaust air particle PCR as a reliable detection method for Murine Astrovirus infections in mice kept in individually ventilated cages (IVC) and compare the method to sentinel mice monitoring regarding reproducibility and detection limit, we conducted a study with defined Murine Astrovirus cage prevalence. In parallel, the efficacy of both detection strategies (soiled-bedding sentinel (SBS) and exhaust air dust (EAD) analysis) was tested for Myocoptes musculinus. The fur mite was used as a reference organism during the whole study period to ensure the validity of this method. Because some publications already demonstrated successful detection of several pathogens, including murine fur mite species, via EAP-PCR. Detection of Murine Astrovirus infections at low prevalence is possible with both methods tested. Detection by exhaust air particles (EAP) is faster, more sensitive and more reliable compared to soiled bedding sentinels (SBS). Exhaust air particle PCR also detected the reference organism Myocoptes musculinus, which was not detected at all by sentinel mice, not even by high sensitivity fur swab qPCR. In conclusion, Murine Astrovirus can be detected by both exhaust air particle PCR and soiled bedding sentinels. We recommend exhaust air particle PCR as the better detection technique for Murine Astrovirus, because it is more reliable. Environmental samples are the method of choice for detection of Myocoptes musculinus because relying on soiled bedding sentinels harbors a big risk of missing existing infestations.
Highlights
Environmental sampling becomes a more and more popular technology for the hygienic monitoring of large rodent colonies housed in individually ventilated cages (IVC)-cages
Our comparison showed that detection of Murine Astroviruses (MuAstV) infections at low prevalence is possible with both methods, yet at different reliability
[27] Our study showed that the detection by exhaust air particles (EAP)-PCR is faster, more sensitive and more reliable compared to soiled bedding sentinels (SBS)
Summary
[20] Based on real time PCR analysis, a worldwide distribution of Murine Astroviruses (MuAstV) was assumed, both in biomedical research institutions and commercial breeders. MuAstV is one of the most common viral agents in laboratory rodent facilities. Both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mouse strains are affected. [8,25] An influence of astrovirus infections on the microbiome of bats has been recently demonstrated. [1] All in all it appears useful to include MuAstV to routine health monitoring and be aware of its possible influence on research results. In 2012, it was shown that laboratory mice are suitable mammalian models to improve our understanding of astrovirus infection and virus host interaction. In 2012, it was shown that laboratory mice are suitable mammalian models to improve our understanding of astrovirus infection and virus host interaction. [24] In this context the detection of this agent in research mice is essential
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