IBCs, Animal Care and Use, and Vivarium issues · IBCs, Animal Care and Use, and Vivarium issues Timothy D. Mandrell, DVM, Dipl. ACLAM ... DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINE The Problem

DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINE

IBCs, Animal Care and Use, and Vivarium issues

Timothy D. Mandrell, DVM, Dipl. ACLAMProfessor and ChairDepartment of Comparative MedicineUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center


The ProblemIBC IACUC

Animal Care


The Problem

IBCIACUC

Animal Care


IBC• Recombinant molecules• Biological hazards• Select Agents• Toxins• Containment procedures• Animal containment expert (DVM)• Protecting environment, personnel, and

institution


IACUC• Experimental procedures involving animals• Husbandry and care• Humane endpoints• Animal Care Program• Animal Facilities• IBO serves as non-voting member• Protecting animals, personnel, and institution


Animal Care• Provides daily care and observation• Veterinary care and oversight• Husbandry, sanitation, food and water• Follows SOPs for hazards as outlined by IBC

and IACUC


Parallel Review

• Identify the gatekeeper!• At UTHSC, the IACUC has final

approval–IBC approval–Required training–Gatekeeper for facility access


Sometimes there is a disconnect

• SO has working knowledge of biosafety practices and procedures

• May not have animal experience or knowledge of acceptable animal biosafety procedures

• Must be able to work with ACS on containment procedures and training


Human cells injected into vitreous of rabbits

• Per BMBL human cells in animals is ABSL2

• Feedback from BSO– Use “microisolator cage”– Autoclave soiled cages– Tyvec, face shield, etc.


Viral Vectors• Used to deliver genetic material into cells• Viruses have molecular mechanisms to transport

their genome inside the cells they infect• Replication incompetent• Recombination events or contamination from

wildtype virus can result in replication competent virus (RCV)


Viral Vectors

• Adenovirus• Adeno associated virus• Retrovirus• Epetein-Barr Virus• Herpesvirus• Pox virus


Viral Vectors

• Review and risk assessment by IBC• Assignment of biosafety level

• Testing for replication competentvirus (RCV)

• Special handling of animals, cages, bedding


Can animals treated with viral vectors be removed from

containment?

• Depends on–Viral Vector type –Testing and risk for RCV–Risk assessment


Can animals treated with viral vectors be removed from containment?

“Commonly used replication-deficient viral vectors pose minimal exposure risk by 72 h after inoculation”**Reuter et al, Comp Med. 2012 Oct;62(5):361-70.

Third-generation lentivirusRecombinant adeno-associated virusE1-deleted adenovirus



• ABSL2 practices and procedures in containment

• Cage labeling with date of inoculation and date when safe

• Write, review, implement SOP for transfer of viral vector treated animals fromcontainment to non-containment housing



• After 72 hours– Transfer animals into clean cages

• Use BSC• Microisolation technique

– Decontaminate outside of clean cage per cage handling SOP

– Transfer cage out of containment– Apply new cage cards


What is contaminated bedding?

• Rodents are housed in microisolation cages

• Cage contains– Contact bedding– Nesting material– Enrichment– Food– Water


What is contaminated bedding?

• Everything INSIDE the cage is contaminated– Direct contact with animal– Animal inoculated with

hazardous agent or material– Microisolation cage keeps

hazard within the cage• Outside of cage can be

decontaminated– Approved disinfectant or

sterilant


How to treat contaminated bedding• Autoclave the soiled cage

with bedding, food, water, nesting material, enrichment

• Empty cages in BSC and collect soiled bedding– Autoclave soiled bedding– Autoclave or disinfect

cages• Disposable cages

– Bag and autoclave


Chemical hazards• Risk assessment• Is there a risk for a dilution error?• SOP for handling animals and cages when

any hazard is used• Always label cages with known hazard

and follow SOP


Chemical Hazards

How does one know if a dilution is below hazardous levels? Is an LD50 enough?


Chemical Hazards• LD50• Toxnet• Agency for Toxic

Substances and Disease Registry

• Risk Assessment


Communicating RisksHow do we best communicate risks associated with animal research to

animal workers?


Communicating Risks With Animal Research Personnel

• Investigator• Laboratory Staff• Animal Care• Veterinary Care


Communicating Risks with Animal Research Personnel

• Simple, clear SOPs with visuals• Training on each SOP

– In specific facility with all required equipment– Hands on walk through

• Start up meeting– PI and Staff– Animal Care Staff and Supervisor– Veterinary Staff


TrainingWhat about training?

One size training does not fit all, there are various demographics in vivaria.


Training

• Investigator and laboratory staff• Animal Care• Veterinary Care• Safety specialists


Training and Selection of Staff

• Simple, straightforward SOPs written to HS education

• Involve users in SOP preparation and review• Multilingual SOP if appropriate for staff• Visuals• Identify elements by job function

– Research personnel– Animal Care

• Hands on review


Occupational Health

Does everyone who works with animals need an allergy risk assessment or medical prophylaxis?Are the requirements the same for both animal husbandry personnel as well as researchers?


Occupational Health

• Risk Assessment for Allergy–Species, extent and nature of

contact, engineering controls• Medical prophylaxis

–Species, hazards, extent and nature of contact, defined by OHSP

• Animal Care vs. Research Staff


Animal Care Wet AreasWhat to consider in choosing a disinfectant/cleaner for cleaning and disinfection of kennels and large animal areas?Is there a concern with generation of aerosols and inhalation exposure?How are these mitigated?What PPE is required for ACS who clean and disinfect kennels and large animal areas?


Animal Care Wet Areas

• Washdown of kennels, runs, animal holding rooms

• Generation of aerosol from spray• Chemical exposure• Respiratory exposure• Skin and mucous

membrane exposure


Washdown Safety• Cleaning must precede disinfection• Cleaners may be caustic or irritating• Hot water or steam• High pressure sprayer• Wet and uncomfortable environment• Generation of aerosol


Washdown Safety

• Require PPE• Protect skin and mucous membranes• Protect clothing from getting wet• Respiratory protection• Safety training

• Chemicals• Equipment

• Steam hose• Pressure washer


PPE for Washdown


PPE for Washdown

• Gogglesand respirator

• PAPR


PPE for Washdown

• Waterproof clothing

• Barrier apron or gown

• Waterproof boots• Waterproof

gloves


Washdown Procedure

• Evaluate practices and procedures

• Choose products based on risk assessment and desired outcomes



Questions?


The Stella Lab

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IBCs, Animal Care and Use, and Vivarium issues · IBCs, Animal Care and Use, and Vivarium issues Timothy D. Mandrell, DVM, Dipl. ACLAM ... DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINE The Problem