SOP Number: SOP009

Title: Microbial Monitoring-RODAC Plating

Revision No: Replaces: Date in effect: Page:

03 2 12/14/2010 1 of 4
Author: Responsible faculty:
Amber Matthews (Signature/Date)

12/14/2010

PURPOSE

The microbial monitoring program is designed to validate the effectiveness of the

sanitation programs. The program uses the RODAC (Replicate Organism
Detection and Counting) plates, with a positive meniscus/dome-shaped agar that
can be pressed onto a surface for sampling the microbial content. This is a
quantitative assessment. Tests are to be conducted quarterly.
The purpose is to determine the efficacy of the sanitation procedures for animal
rooms, corridors and equipment using microbial monitoring method incorporating
Rodac Plates containing Trypticase Soy Agar lecithin and polysorbate 80.
Surfaces must be sampled within 24 hours of sanitation procedures.

I. LOCATIONS TO BE SAMPLED

Randomly choose 10 samples from the following list of locations:

A. Experimental Sciences Building

1. Procedural Lab

2. “Hand-sanitized” biological safety cabinet

3. Animal Rooms
a. Center of floor
b. Baseboard of side wall
c. Side wall approximately 2 feet above baseboard
d. Sink or drain area
e. Ceiling near exhaust duct

4. Service corridors
a. Floor baseboards
b. Wall area
c. Ceiling near exhaust duct
d. Outside surface of animal holding doorways

5. Cage or item processed from the clean side cage washer

SOP Number: SOP009
Title: Microbial Monitoring-RODAC Plating

Revision No: Replaces: Date in effect: Page:

03 2 12/14/2010 2of 4

B. Biological Sciences Building

1. Procedural Space

2. Cage or item processed from the cage washer

3. Animal Rooms
a. Center of floor
b. Baseboard of side wall
c. Side wall approximately 2 feet above baseboard
d. Sink or drain area
e. Ceiling near exhaust duct

4. Service corridors
a. Floor baseboards
b. Wall area
c. Ceiling near exhaust duct
d. Outside surface of animal holding doorways

C. Human Sciences Building

1. Procedural Space

2. Cage/item processed from:

a. Cage Wash

3. Animal Rooms
a. Center of floor
b. Baseboard of side wall
c. Side wall approximately 2 feet above baseboard
d. Sink or drain area
e. Ceiling near exhaust duct

4. Service corridors
a. Floor baseboards
b. Wall area
c. Ceiling near exhaust duct
d. Outside surface of animal holding doorways
 SOP Number: SOP009
Title: Microbial Monitoring-RODAC Plating

Revision No: Replaces: Date in effect: Page:

03 2 12/14/2010 3of 4

D. Animal & Food Sciences Building

1. Surgery table

2. Surgical light

3. Procedural Exam Room

4. Cage or item processed from cage washer

5. Animal Rooms
a. Center of floor
b. Baseboard of side wall
c. Side wall approximately 2 feet above baseboard
d. Sink or drain area
e. Ceiling near exhaust duct

6. Service corridors
a. Floor baseboards
b. Wall area
c. Ceiling near exhaust duct
d. Outside surface of animal holding doorways

II. COLLECTING SAMPLE

A. Check the date on the plates to be sure they are not expired.

B. Slowly open the RODAC plate to avoid unwanted contact with any surface.

C. Gently place the agar surface flush against the surface to be tested.

D. Remove the plate and place the cover over the agar surface aseptically.

E. Label the plate.

F. Place all RODAC plates, agar side up in the incubator in Lab 08J at ESB at
37° C.

G. At 48 to 72 hours, count the number of colonies per plate and record the
results by item tested on the RODAC plate recording form.
 SOP Number: SOP009
Title: Microbial Monitoring-RODAC Plating

Revision No: Replaces: Date in effect: Page:

03 2 12/14/2010 4of 4

H. List results by room number and above category on the RODAC results
sheet.

I. File your results in the RODAC Logbook.

III. Reading Plates

A. Acceptable colony counts are as follows:

1. Cage, water bottle, sipper tube <1 colony per plate

2. Surgery area table and equipment <5 colonies per plate

3. Animal Caging and operant chambers <15 colonies per plate

4. Other consult manufacturer and veterinarian

B. Colony counts above these ranges are considered unacceptable.

C. All results will be reviewed by the manager, and repeat testing conducted
where appropriate.

D. A report of all ACS RODAC testing, results, and resultant actions are
available to the IACUC.