Recommendations for the health monitoring of mouse, rat, hamster, guineapig and rabbit breeding colonies

Report of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) Working Group on Animal Health accepted by the FELASABoard of Management November 1992
FELASAWorking Group on Animal Health: V. Kraft (GV-SOLAS) Convener, A. A. Deeny (LASA) Secretary, H. M. Blanchet (SFEA), R. Boot (NVP), A. K. Hansen (Scand-LAS), A. Hem (Scand-LAS), H. van Herck (NVP), I. Kunstyr (GV-SOLAS), G. Milite (AISAL), J. R. Needham (LASA), W. Nicklas (GV-SOLAS), A. Perrot (SFEA), C. Rehbinder (Stand-LAS), Y. Richard (SFEA) & G. De Vroey (BCLAS)
FELASA, BCM Box 2989, London WC1 N 3XX, UK

Contents Preamble 1. General considerations 2. Frequency of monitoring and sample size 3. Viral infections 3.1 Mice 3.2 Rats 3.3 Hamsters 3.4 Guineapigs 3.5 Rabbits 4. Bacterial, mycoplasmas and fungal infections 4.1 Methodology 4.2 Samples to be investigated 4.3 Mice and rats 4.4 Hamsters 4.5 Guineapigs 4.6 Rabbits 5. Parasitology 5.1 Methodology 5.2 Report of results 5.3 Test schedule in mouse, rat, hamster and guineapig breeding units 5.4 Test schedule in rabbit breeding units 6. Pathology 7. Appendix I-Necropsy procedures 8. Appendix II-Guidelines for the Use of the FELASA Approved Health Monitoring Report 9. Appendix III- Abbreviations
laboratory

2 2

3
3

3
4

5 6
6 6 6 6

7
8 8 9 9 9 9

10 10 10
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Animals (1994) 28, 1-12

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Preamble The health of an animal is always at risk from a variety of infections. Such infections may be inapparent or at least not made apparent by gross and obvious lesions. Clinical disease may thus not be observed until the animal is stressed, for example by an experimental procedure. There is overwhelming evidence that infections in laboratory animals can often influence the outcome of experiments. Depending upon the specific infection, a variety of biological parameters may be affected, including behaviour, growth rate, relative organ weights, immune response and tumour development. Subtle or overt infections can also lead t9 contamination of biological materials, tissue cultures, celllines, transplantable tumours and biological products. All infection, apparent or inapparent, is likely to increase biological variability. Some laboratory animal diseases are zoonotic. For all these reasons, a laboratory animal health monitoring programme is of vital importance, decreasing the risk of zoonoses and adding to the reliability and reproducibility of research data. This report proposes a scheme for health monitoring of laboratory animal breeding colonies with the intention of harmonizing procedures among those countries associated with FELASA. It is the intention of FELASAto keep these recommendations under periodical review and to publish amendments as necessary. 1. General considerations 1.1 These recommendations constitute a common approach for all breeders of laboratory animals. Actual practice may differ from these recommendations in various ways dependingon local circumstances - for example colony size, regional prevalence of specific organisms, intended use of progeny, or existence of national monitoring schemes. Additional investigations may be deemed necessary: should

these indicate the presence of an agent which, although not listed in these recommendations, is suspected of being important, that agent should be mentioned in successive reports and treated as are listed agents. 1.2 These recommendations are intended for all breeding colonies of mice, rats, hamsters, guineapigs and rabbits. 1.3 The term 'breeding unit' is here understood to describe a self-contained unit, which could be considered a microbiological entity no matter how many strains or species are kept in it (see 1.10, 1.11). 1.4 The existence of detailed written procedures - Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within monitoring laboratories is expected. Such SOPs must be available on request.

the principles of Good Laboratory Practice}

where applicable. 1.6 Monitoring laboratories should participate in a Quality Assurance Programme. 1.7 It should be emphasized that negative results mean only that the presence of the microorganisms monitored has not been demonstrated in the animals screened by the test(s) used. The results are not necessarily a reflection of the status of all the animals in the breeding unit. 1.8 An agent must be declared as present if it is identified or antibodies to it are detected in one or more of the animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at subsequent screens until a subsequent test is negative after, for example, the organism has been eradicated by means of rederivation or restocking by animals from external sources. However, agents known to be present need not be monitored at subsequent screens provided that they are declared in the health report. 1.9 The presence of antibodies in a colony is only an indicator of infection. Its significance can be elucidated using methods other than serological methods.

I.S Monitoring laboratories should follow

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1.10 As the question of strain specificity of infections is not fully understood, in animal units containing more than one strain of the same species, the strains must be screened successively and each strain should be monitored at least once a year. The

frequency of monitoring for the unit should comply with the general test schedule. 1.11 If a unit contains more than one animal species, each species must be screened separately, according to the test schedule.

2. Frequency of monitoring and sample size

Table 2a Mouse, rat, hamster and guineapig breeding units Testingfanimal No. animals ~2 ~4 Serology Bacteriology Parasitology Pathology

Sample size Sampling frequency Every 3 months Age Weanling 10-14 weeks (young adults)

+ + + + +

+ + +

+ + +

>6 months (re- ~4 tired breeders) Table 2b Rabbit breeding units

Sample size Sampling frequency Every 6 months Age 12-14 weeks (young adults) No. animals ~4

Testing/animal Serology Bacteriology Parasitology + + Pathology +

+
+

+
+

>6 months (re- ~4 tired breeders)

3. Viral infections 3.1 Mice

Table 3a No. Viral infections Antigens Minute virus of mice (MVM) Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) Reovirus type 3 (Reo3) Sendai virus Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis to be serologically monitored in

mouse

breeding

units

Suitable test methods (alphabetical) ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, HI, IFA IFA HI, IFA IFA HI, IFA HI, lFA

1
2 3 4 S 6 7 8

virus (TMEV)

9 10
11 12 13 14 1S

16

**Ectromelia virus ** Hantaviruses **Lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) **Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) **Mouse adenovirus (MAd) **Mouse rotavirus (EDIM) **Mouse K virus (K) **Mouse polyoma virus **Mouse thymic virus (MTV) **Mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV)

ELISA,IFA ELISA, HI, IFA LDH plasma test ELISA, IFA ELISA, IFA ELISA, IFA ELISA, HI ELISA, HI, IFA ELISA, IFA ELISA, IFA

**Viruses for which evidence exists of rare infections in European mouse colonies. However, they should be tested in rederived or restocked colonies and in animals prior to use in Mouse Antibody Production (MAP) testing

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Equivocal or unexpected positive serological test results must be confirmed by an alternative test method and/or repeated investigation. An agent must be declared as present if antibodies to it are detected in one or more animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at successive screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation, restocking. An agent reported as present need not be monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports.

Sampling frequency Every three months: Antigen numbers 1-6. Once a year: Antigen numbers 7-10. Sample size A minimum of 8 individual animal sera (not pooledl from mice randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 3b Age Sample size and ages-mice No. of animals

10-14 weeks (young adults)

;;::4

>6 months (retired breeders)

;::4

3.2 Rats
Table 3c No. 1 2 3 4 5 Viral infections Antigens Hantaan virus Kilham rat virus (KRV) Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) Reovirus type 3 (Reo 3) Sendai virus Sialodacryoadenitis (SDA)/Rat coronavirus (ReV) Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) Toolan (H-1) to be monitored serologically in rat breeding units Suitable test methods (alphabetical) ELISA, HI, IFA HI, (ELISA IFA) ELISA, HI, IFA ELISA, IFA ELISA, HI, IFA ELISA, IFA ELISA, HI, IFA HI, (ELISA, IFA)

6
7 8

**In the case of rat parvoviruses (KRV, H-1) antibodies to these viruses may cross-react with the antigens in IFA and ELISA. However, these infections can be differentiated by specific HI tests

Equivocal or unexpected serological test results must be confirmed by an alternative test method and/or repeated investigation. . An agent must be declared as present if antibodies to it are detected in one or more animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at successive screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation, restocking. An agent reported as present need not be monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports.

Sampling frequency Every three months: Antigen numbers 1-8. Sample size A minimum of 8 individual animal sera (not pooled) from rats randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 3d Age Sample size and ages-rats No. of animals

10-14 weeks (young adults)

>6

months (retired breeders)

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3.3 Hamsters
Table 3e No. 1 2 3 4 5 Viral infections Antigens Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) Reovirus type 3 (Re03) Sendai virus Simian virus 5 (SV5) to be monitored serologically in

hamster

breeding

units

Suitable test methods (alphabetical) ELISA, ElISA, ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, IFA HI, IFA IFA HI, IFA IFA

Equivocal or unexpected positive serological test results must be confirmed by an alternative test method and/or by repeated investigation. An agent must be declared as present if antibodies to it are detected in one or more of the animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at subsequent screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation or restocking. An agent reported as present need not be monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports. 3.4 Guineapigs
Table 3g No.
1

Sampling frequency Every three months: Antigen numbers 1-5. Sample size A minimum of 8 individual animal sera lnot pooled) from hamsters randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 3f Age 10-14 weeks (young adults) >6 months (retired breeders) Sample size and ages in hamsters No. of animals ~4

Viral infections Antigens

Guineapig

to be monitored

serologically

in

guineapig

breeding

units

Suitable test methods (alphabetical)

adenovirus (GpAd)

2 3 4

5 6

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCM) Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) Reovi rus type 3 (Re03) Sendai virus Simian virus 5 (SVS)

ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, ELISA,

IFA IFA HI, IFA IFA HI, IFA IFA

Equivocal or unexpected positive serological test results must be confirmed by an alternative test method and/or by repeated investigation. An agent must be declared as present if antibodies to it are detected in one or more of the animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at subsequent screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation or restocking. An agent reported as present need not be monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports.

Sampling frequency Every three months: Antigen numbers 1-6. Sample size A minimum of 8 individual animal sera (not pooled) from guineapigs randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 3h Age 10-14 weeks (young adults) Sample size and ages-guineapigs No. of animals ~4 ~4

> 6 months (retired breeders)

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3.5 Rabbits
Table 3i No. 1 2 3 4 S 6 Viral infections Antigens Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) Rabbit pox virus (myxomatosis) Rabbit rotavirus Sendai virus Simian virus 5 (SVS) to be monitored serologically in rabbit breeding units Suitable test methods (alphabetical) ElISA, ELISA ELISA, ELISA, ELISA, ElISA, HI, IFA IFA IFA HI, IFA IFA

Equivocal or unexpected positive serological test results must be confirmed by an alternative test method and/or by repeated investigation. An agent must be declared as present if antibodies to it are detected in one or more of the animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at subsequent screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation or restocking. An agent reported as present need not be monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports. Sampling frequency Every six months: Antigen numbers 1-6. Sample size A minimum of 8 individual animal sera (not pooled) from rabbits randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 3j Age 12-14 weeks (young adults) >6 months (retired breeders) Sample size and ages-rabbits No. of animals ;;l:4

addition to non-selective media for routine and special or confirmatory investigations. Aerobic culture conditions are sufficient for most bacteria. Where possible, identification of microorganisms should proceed to the specific name e.g. Pasteurella pneumotropica or Mycoplasma pulmonis. 4.1.2 Serological methods Serological methods exist for the detection of antibodies to various bacterial pathogens, e.g. Bacillus piliformis, mycoplasmas and Leptospira spp. Treponema cuniculi in rabbits may be monitored using T. pallidum or cardiolipin antigens. 4.1.3 Pathological methods In certain cases, e.g. CAR bacillosis, histopathology may be the only suitable method of detection. 4.2 Samples to be investigated Samples from the following organs must be cultured: nasal turbinates/nasopharynx, trachea, prepuce/vagina, caecum. In addition, serum is sampled for the detection of antibodies to Bacillus piliformis, mycoplasmas and Leptospira spp. 4.3 Bacterial, mycoplasmal and fungal infections to be monitored in mice and rats Bordetella bronchiseptica Citrobacter freundii (4280j-mouse Corynebacterium kutscheri only

4. Bacterial, mycoplasmal and fungal infections 4.1 Methodology 4.1.1 Cultural methods Bacteriological investigations must always include nonselective media, e.g. blood agar. Selective and enriched media must be used in

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*Leptospira (icterohaemorrhagiae, ballum, canicola, hebdomadis) - serology Mycoplasma spp. - cultivation in cases of positive serology Pasteurella spp. Salmonellae Streptobacillus moniliformis Streptocci-,B-haemolytic (except D group) (designation of Lancefield Group, if possible) Streptococcus pneumoniae Tyzzer's disease (clinical disease/ pathological lesions/ serology**) *To be screened only once per year **Results of serology are currently controversial. 4.3.1 Additional considerations Examples of additional microorganisms to be monitored -when associated with lesions, -when associated with clinical signs of disease, -when there is evidence of perturbation of physiological parameters or breeding performance, -when using spontaneously immunodeficient animals. CAR bacillus Derma tophytes Escherichia coli Klebsiella pneumoniae/oxytoca Pneumocystis carinii Proteus spp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus Yersinia pseudotuberculosis An agent must be declared as present if it is identified in one or more of the animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at subsequent screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation or restocking. An agent reported as present need not be monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports. Sampling frequency Every three months.

Sample size Ten animals randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 4a Age Weanlings 10-14 weeks (young adults) >6 months (retired breeders) Sample size and ages-mice and rats

No. of animals

4.4 Bacterial and fungal infections to be monitored in hamsters Bordetella bronchiseptica Pasteurella spp. Salmonellae Tyzzer's disease (clinical disease/pathological lesions/ serology*) *Results of serology are currently controversial. 4.4.1 Additional considerations Examples of additional microorganisms to be monitored -when associated with lesions, - when associated with clinical signs of disease, - when there is evidence of perturbation of physiological parameters or breeding performance, -when using spontaneously immunodeficient animals. Clostridium spp. Dermatophytes Escherichia coli Klebsiella pneumoniae/oxytoca Proteus spp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus An agent must be declared as present if it is identified in one or more of the animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at subsequent screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation or restocking. An agent reported as present need not be

FELASA health monitoring

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monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports. Sampling frequency Every three months. Sample size Ten animals randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 4b Age Weanlings 10-14 weeks (young adults) >6 months (retired breeders) Sample size and ages-hamsters No. of animals

Escherichia coli Klebsiella pneumoniae/oxytoca Proteus spp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus
An agent must be declared as present if it is identified in one or more of the animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at subsequent screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation or restocking. An agent reported as present need not be monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports.

;;:4
;;:4

Sampling frequency Every three months. 4.5 Bacterial and fungal infections to be monitored in guineapigs Bordetella bronchiseptica Dermatophytes Pasteurella spp. Salmonellae Streptobacillus moniliformis Streptococci-~-haemolytic [except D group) [designation of LancefieldGroup, if possible) Streptococcus pneumoniae Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Tyzzer's disease (clinical disease/pathological lesions/ serology*) *Results of serology are currently controversial. 4.5.1 Additional considerations Examples of additional microorganisms to be monitored -when associated with lesions, - when associated with clinical signs of disease, - when there is evidence of perturbation of physiological parameters or breeding performance, -when using spontaneously immunodeficient animals. Candida albicans Chlamydia spp. Clostridium spp. Sample size Ten animals randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 4c Age Weanlings 10-14 weeks (young adults) Sample size and ages-guineapigs No. of animals

>6

months (retired breeders)

4.6 Bacterial and fungal infections to be monitored in rabbits Bordetella bronchiseptica Pasteurella spp. Salmonellae Streptococci-~-haemolytic (except D group) (designation of Lancefield Group, if possible) Tyzzer's disease (clinical disease/pathological lesions / serology*) *Results of serology are currently controversial. 4.6.1 Additional considerations Examples of additional microorganisms to be monitored -when associated with lesions, - when associatedwith clinical signsofdisease,

FElASA health monitoring recommendations

-when there is evidence of perturbation of physiological parameters or breeding . performance, -when using spontaneously immunodeficient animals. Clostridium spp. Dermatophytes Escherichia coli (designation of serotype, if possible) Klebsiella pneumoniae/oxytoca Proteus spp. Pseudomonas aemginosa Staphylococcus aureus Treponema cuniculi - serology Yersinia pseudotuberculosis An agent must be declared as present if it is identified in one or more of the animals screened. The results must continue to be reported as positive at subsequent screens until the agent has been eradicated by means of e.g. rederivation or restocking. An agent reported as present need not be monitored at subsequent screens but it must be declared in subsequent reports. Sampling frequency Every six months. Sample size A minimum 8 animals randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table 4d
Age 12-14 weeks (young adults)

Microscopic examination of fresh wet mounts of caecal contents and of the inner lining of the ileum. Faecal flotation. 5.1.2 Methods used on request in rats and mice only The organisms below, though only rarely isolated from laboratory rats and mice, may present a hazard to investigators and experimental investigations. Tests for these organisms may be performed on request. Serology for Encephalitozoon cuniculi Serology for Toxoplasma gondii Urine sedimentation for Trichosomoides crassicauda Histopathology of kidneys for Klossiella spp. 5.2 Reporting results The following organisms must be mentioned in the final report of results, with a declaration of whether the organism has been detected or not (number of animals positive), or not tested (NT): All arthropods (identification as far as possible to the specific name) All helminths (identification as far as possible to the specific name) Eimeria spp. (identification as far as possible to the specific name) Giardia spp. Spironucleus spp. Other flagellates (identification of species unnecessary) Klossiella spp. (mouse, rat and guineapig only) Encephalitozoon cuniculi (compulsory in rabbit and guineapig) Toxoplasma gondii (compulsory in rabbit and guineapig) Trichosomoides crassicauda (rat only) 5.3 Mouse, rat, hamster and guineapig breeding units Sampling frequency Every three months.

Sample size and ages-rabbits No. of animals

~4

> 6 months (retired

breeders)

~4

5. Parasitology (mice, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits)

5.1 Methodology at necropsy Examination of the pelt (skin and hair) with the use of dissecting microscope.
5. 1.1 Rou tine methodology

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Sample size Ten animals randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table Sa Sample size and ages-mouse. hamster and guineapig Age Weanlings 10-14 weeks (young adults) ;;;'4 ;;;'4 rat.

7. Appendix I
Necropsy procedure This appendix is a suggested guideline for a necropsy procedure for a microbiological examination. The procedure must be detailed in an appropriate SOP. It may be necessary to vary the techniques and any variances must be recorded in additional SOPs. 7.1 The animal should be given a unique necropsy number which can be used for the identification of all samples. 7.2 Any clinical signs should be recorded. 7.3 The species, breed, strain, special features, sex, age and weight of the animal are recorded. 7.4 The animal is euthanased and the method is recorded. 7.5 The animal may be blood-sampled at this stage if small. 7.6 External examination, including orifices and eyes, is made. Any identification marks [e.g. tattoos) and lesions are recorded. 7.7 Examination is made for ectoparasites (see Section 5). 7.8 Samples are collected for mycological examination. 7.9 The animal is pinned on aboard, ventral surface uppermost. The surface of the body may be gently swabbed to dampen the hair but care must be taken to prevent the fluid entering any orifices or lesions to be sampled. 7.10 The skin is cut from the mid-line (ventrally) of the jaw to the vulva or scrotum. The skin is reflected dorsally and pinned to the board. 7.11 The subcutaneous tissues, including main body lymph nodes, mammary glands and salivary glands are examined. The nutritional state should be evaluated.

No. of animals

> 6 months (retired breeders)

5.4 Rabbit breeding unit Sampling frequency Every six months. Sample size Eight animals randomly sampled from each breeding unit.
Table Sb Age 12-14 weeks (young adults) Sample size and ages-rabbits No. of animals

>6

months (retired breeders)

6. Pathology
The following organs should be monitored for abnormalities at routine necropsy: skin, oral cavity, salivary glands [rat onlyL respiratory system, aorta (rabbit onlyL heart, liver, spleen, gastro-intestinal tract, kidneys, adrenals, urogenital tract (including testesL body lymph nodes. A suggested necropsy procedure is outlined in Appendix I. The results of the necropsy should be presented in the health monitoring report. All spontaneously diseased or suspected diseased animals should be considered valuable sources of information and should be examined at necropsy for any abnormalities or lesions. Altered organs should be investigated by histopathology or other test methods appropriate for elucidating the aetiology of the lesion[s) found.

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7.12 The nasal and oral cavities are opened and examined. Samples may now be collected from the upper respiratory tract for bacteriology and mycoplasmology. 7.13 The thorax is opened by two paralled incisions along the costo-chondral junction. 7.14 The animal may be blood sampled from the heart at this stage if large. 7.15 The thoracic organs, beginning with the larynx, are examined in situ and then removed. The lungs are sampled for bacteriology. The lungs, heart and thymus are opened and examined. 7.16 The abdominal wall is cut by an incision along the linea alba and on either side of the costal arc. 7.17 The abdominal cavity is examined before removal of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, spleen, kidneys and urogenital tract. The nutritional state should be evaluated. 7.18 The liver is inspected and samples collected for bacteriology from cut surfaces, if necessary. 7.19 The gastro-intestinal tract is opened and examined. Samples are collected for bacteriology and parasitology (sections 4 and 5). 7.20 The genital organs and the urinary bladder are examined. 7.21 The kidneys and adrenal glands are examined. The kidneys are bisected longitudinally. 7.22 The aorta, including the thoracic and abdominal portions, is opened and examined (rabbit only).

users of laboratory animals who are reporting on the health monitoring of their animal colonies may use the words 'in accordance with FELASArecommendations' where that is in fact the case. 8.1 General information on each report The title of the report should be FELASAApproved Health Monitoring Report. This wording can only be used if the methods, frequency, sample size and species-list of organisms monitored are in full accordance with the recommendations published by FELASA. At the top of each report should be: date of the report, date animals screened, identification of all strains/stocks within the unit, number of animals screened, breeder's code for the unit, date when the colony was established and month and year when it was last rederived or restocked. Description of the strain/stock screened as follows: name of the species, followed (in parentheses) by the ICLAS designation. 8.2 Lay-out of the report with respect to microorganisms monitored and the colony status Except for general information (see section 8.1) the report is divided into three columns, the first listing the microorganisms monitored [section 8.2.1), the second recording the historical status of the colony (section 8.2.2) and the third giving the results of the latest screen (section 8.2.31, and the laboratory carrying out the test and the method used. 8.2.1 Listing of microorganisms, methods and names of monitoring laboratories The organisms detailed in these recommendations should be listed alphabetically in their appropriate sections, in the order: viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, fungi, endoparasites, ectoparasites. Ifan abbreviationis used for a microorganism, it must be that used in these recommendations. The method used in serological testing must be given next to the name of the organism. Abbreviations used for methods

8. Appendix II
Guidelines for the use of the FELASA Approved Health Monitoring Report While FELASAcannot accept responsibility for tests or their implications, breeders or

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must be in accordance with those listed in Appendix ill of these recommendations. The abbreviated name of the laboratory carrying out the test must be recorded for each organism/agent. Where both a method and laboratory name are to be recorded, they should be in the order: microorganism, laboratory, method. Where an abbreviation is used for the name of the laboratory, the full name must be given at the bottom of the report. 8.2.2 Historical status of the colony Against each organism must be recorded: Pos if the organism has ever been detected in animals from the colony (i.e. positive). Neg if the organism has never been detected in any screen of the animals from the colony [i.e. negative). NT if the organism has never been included in the health monitoring programme (i.e. not tested). 8.2.3 Current health monitoring results of the colony Each organism must be recorded: No. Pos if the organism has been detected in the current screen of animals from the colony (number of animals positive).

o
NT

if the organism has not been detected in the current screen of animals from the colony. if the organism has not been included in the current screen of animals from the colony.

The results of pathological examinations should be recorded as follows: Pathological macroscopic lesions were/were not observed in the organs examined. Pathological changes should be listed separately for each strain within the breeding unit. 8.3 Additional information Any additional information should be given on a separate sheet accompanying the main report and not on the FELASA-Approved Health Monitoring Report itself. If infection is discovered between tests, users should be informed immediately. 9. Appendix III

Abbreviations
CAR bacillus ELISA HI IFA Cilia-associated respiratory bacillus Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Haemagglutination inhibition assay Immunofluorescence assay

Note: Reprints of this Report are available free of charge from the Secretary, FELASA, Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht, Bureau Proefdierdeskundige, Postbus 80.166, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands.