Experimental Animal Work
- The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the IBC must be fully informed of studies involving use of infectious agents, or other biohazardous agents in animals. These committees and the principal investigator must concur on all aspects of containment conditions and practices essential for protection of personnel and other experimental animals. It is imperative that no hazardous work is started until complete agreement is reached. In general, submission of separate forms to each committee and written approval from each committee is required.
- Work involving animals and biohazardous agents must follow all CDC recommendations for Animal Biosafety Level (ABSL) work. See the BMBL for current recommendations.
- Persons performing work that involves both biohazardous agents and animals are expected to follow the applicable Standard Microbiological Practices and BMBL recommended ABSL practices.
- Wastes from animals or waste animals must be handled according to the requirements for either EPA infectious waste regulations, procedures for nonregulated biological wastes as outlined in this manual, or according to the procedures developed by the Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) department.
- Transportation of infected or infectious animals must be conducted in a manner that does not spread contamination. Contact the Director of LAR or the BSO for situation specific requirements.
- Work with captive wild animals and certain domestic animals with unknown health history are potentially dangerous even though no experimental infectious agent or hazardous substance is used. This is because the animals may harbor zoonotic disease capable of infecting other animals or humans. Unless the absence of pathogens is determined by appropriate screening procedures, it is best to regard questionable animals as potentially infectious. Appropriate biosafety precautions must be developed by the PI that are specific to the work conducted.
- Transplantable rodent tumors are of particular concern since it has been shown that they frequently harbor a variety of indigenous viruses, such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, a Class 3 human pathogen. Before a ranging to obtain tumor-bearing rodents of unknown health history from sources outside Ohio University, it is imperative that the LAR and EHS be informed to assure availability of a suitable isolation room. Screening procedures for detection of indigenous viruses in transplantable rodent tumors should be performed before use.
Diseases of Particular Concern in Research and Animal Care Facilities
| Animal Species | Zoonotic Disease |
|---|---|
| Rodents | Hantavirus, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV), Salmonellosis |
| Rabbits | Tularemia, Ringworm |
| Cats | Toxoplasmosis, Cat Scratch Disease, Ringworm |
| Dogs | Rabies, Leptospirosis, Ringworm |
| Nonhuman Primates | Tuberculosis, Herpes B virus, Shigellosis |
| Birds | Psittacosis, Avian Influenza |
| Sheep and Goats | Q Fever, Brucellosis |
| Cattle | Brucellosis, E. coli, Cryptosporidiosis |
| Swine | Influenza, Leptospirosis, Trichinellosis |
Table of Major Zoonotic Diseases
| Disease | Causative Agent | Animal Reservoir(s) | Transmission to Humans | Key Human Symptoms | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies | Rabies virus | Dogs, bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes | Bites, scratches, saliva exposure | Encephalitis, paralysis, death if untreated | Animal vaccination, post-exposure prophylaxis |
| Lyme Disease | Borrelia burgdorferi | Rodents, deer-associated ticks | Tick bite | Bull's-eye rash, fever, joint pain, fatigue | Tick avoidance, repellents, protective clothing |
| Salmonellosis | Salmonella spp. | Poultry, reptiles, livestock | Contaminated food, direct animal contact | Diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps | Hand hygiene, food safety practices |
| Campylobacteriosis | Campylobacter jejuni | Poultry, cattle, pets | Contaminated food or water | Diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain | Proper cooking and sanitation |
| Leptospirosis | Leptospira spp. | Rodents, dogs, livestock | Contact with contaminated water or urine | Fever, headache, kidney or liver damage | PPE, rodent control, hygiene |
| Brucellosis | Brucella spp. | Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs | Animal tissues, unpasteurized dairy | Recurrent fever, fatigue, joint pain | Pasteurization, PPE, animal testing |
| Q Fever | Coxiella burnetii | Sheep, goats, cattle | Inhalation of contaminated aerosols | High fever, pneumonia, hepatitis | Respiratory protection, proper animal waste handling |
| Psittacosis | Chlamydia psittaci | Parrots, parakeets, poultry | Inhalation of contaminated bird droppings | Fever, cough, pneumonia | Bird health monitoring, respiratory protection |
| Toxoplasmosis | Toxoplasma gondii | Cats | Cat feces, contaminated food | Flu-like illness; severe fetal effects during pregnancy | Handwashing, litter box precautions |
| Ringworm | Dermatophyte fungi | Cats, dogs, livestock | Direct skin contact | Circular skin lesions, itching | Hygiene, prompt treatment of infected animals |
| Hantavirus Disease | Hantaviruses | Deer mice and rodents | Inhalation of contaminated dust from rodent droppings | Severe respiratory illness | Rodent control, respiratory protection |
| Plague | Yersinia pestis | Wild rodents | Flea bites or infected animal contact | Fever, swollen lymph nodes, septicemia | Flea control, avoidance of wild rodents |
| West Nile Virus | West Nile virus | Birds | Mosquito bite | Fever, headache, neurological disease | Mosquito control, insect repellents |
| Avian Influenza | Influenza A viruses | Poultry and wild birds | Contact with infected birds or contaminated environments | Respiratory illness, fever | Biosecurity measures, PPE |
| Monkeypox | Mpox virus | Rodents and other mammals | Animal bites, scratches, direct contact | Fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes | Avoid contact with infected animals, PPE |
| E. coli Infection | Shiga toxin-producing E. coli | Cattle | Contaminated food, water, animal contact | Severe diarrhea, kidney complications | Food safety, hand hygiene |
| Trichinellosis | Trichinella spp. | Pigs, wild game | Consumption of undercooked meat | Muscle pain, fever, swelling | Cook meat thoroughly |
| Cat Scratch Disease | Bartonella henselae | Cats | Scratches or bites | Swollen lymph nodes, fever | Flea control, wound care |
| Tularemia | Francisella tularensis | Rabbits, rodents | Tick bites, animal handling, aerosols | Fever, skin ulcers, lymph node swelling | PPE, tick prevention |
| Cryptosporidiosis | Cryptosporidium spp. | Cattle and other livestock | Contaminated water, direct contact | Diarrhea, dehydration | Handwashing, water treatment |