Mouse Models of Experimental Tuberculosis in ABSL-3 Conditions and Assessment of Animal Welfare

Abstract

In our understanding of tuberculosis, animal models provide many advantages including the pathogenesis, pathology, and immunology of this disease. The complex spectrum of disease caused by Mtb in humans, makes modeling tuberculosis accurately in animals a challenge. In general, most experimental animals are susceptible to infection with Mtb such as mouse, rabbits, guinea pigs, monkeys and fish. However, modeling the human infection and disease in animals can be difficult, and interpreting the data from animal models must be done carefully, because every animal model has limitations and advantages [2]. Besides, animal models of tuberculosis which should be studied under biosafety level (BSL) 3 measures, do not only require due diligence in the establishment of an ideal animal model but also due care in regard to laboratory workers’ health and environmental health. In this article, some basic criteria for choosing a mouse model of tuberculosis have been summarized and discussed thoroughly for basic laboratory safety measures in terms of workers’ health and for discomfort conditions in terms of animal welfare.