Resources for Staff & Students
| Animal Vendors Health Report |
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| Charles River |
| Envigo |
| Jackson Laboratories |
| Taconic Biosciences |
| Mutant Mouse Resource & Research Centers (MMRRC) |
| Rat Resource & Research Center (RRRC) |
| Forms |
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| LARC Services & Per Diems Rates (PDF) |
| What Is Covered by Per Diems? (PDF) |
| Change of Quarantine Testing Procedures (PDF) |
| Forms |
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| Animal Health Surveillance Program |
| A Guide to Clinical & Research Support Services (PDF) |
| Imaging Room Calendar |
| Submitting an IACUC protocol |
Non-Approved Sources
In general, animals received from non-approved sources must be screened more cautiously to prevent introduction of adventitious pathogens into the facility. Before animals can be approved for shipment to UTSA, health reports from the non-approved originating faculty must be reviewed by the University Veterinarian/Director.
Animals will be placed in quarantine upon arrival at UTSA. Generally, quarantine and testing is about 2 weeks but could be longer depending on the circumstances. If results are clean, then animals may be released. If results are positive for any of UTSA’s excluded pathogens, the animals may not be released until the offending agent has been eradicated. LARC veterinary staff will consult with the research team prior to implementation of any treatment plan. The investigator will be responsible for any costs associated with treatment.
If you are interested in expedited release from quarantine, please contact the LARC for further details.
Sentinel rodents are evaluated at least once a quarter. Generally, two rat or three mouse sentinels are placed per side of an occupied rack. Sentinels are exposed to soiled bedding from occupied cages present on the same side of the rack for a period of 10-13 weeks. Tests listed under quarterly and yearly testing are covered by per diems. The LARC screens for all pathogens listed below but only excludes for those that are highlighted in red.
Additional health evaluations may be conducted at the discretion of the veterinarian upon consultation with the research staff or according to the specific needs of the investigator. *Additional tests are not covered by per diems and will incur a charge*. Investigators are encouraged to pursue additional tests when their specific research objectives require it.
QUARTERLY
Serological tests as well as ecto- and endoparasites direct evaluation are performed for three continuous quarters on all sentinel samples. Gross necropsies with collection of lesions for histological and microbiological evaluation are performed if deemed necessary. Serological tests performed are as follows:
| Mosue | Rat |
|---|---|
| Mouse Parvovirus (MPV 1-5) | Rat Parvovirus (RPV 1-2) |
| Minute Virus of Mice (MVM) | Toolan’s H-1 virus (H-1) |
| Parvovirus NS-1 (NS-1) | Kilham Rat Virus (KRV) |
| Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV) | Rat Minute Virus (RMV) |
| Murine Norovirus (MNV) | Parvovirus NS-1 (NS-1) |
| Theirler’s Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV [GDVII]) | Sialodacryoadenitis Virus (SDAV) |
| Mouse Rotavirus/Epizootic Diarrhea of Infant Mice (EDIM) | Rat Theilovirus (RTV) |
| Pneumocystis carinii |
Yearly
A live sentinel is submitted annually for comprehensive tests. This evaluation includes testing of all pathogens included in the quarterly serological tests plus:
| Mouse | Rat |
|---|---|
| Sendai virus (SEND) | Sendai virus (SEND) |
| Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) | Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) |
| Reovirus (REO) | Reovirus (REO) |
| Mycoplasma pulmonis (MPUL) | Mycoplasma pulmonis (MPUL) |
| Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) | Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) |
| Mouse adenovirus (MAV) | Mouse adenovirus (MAV) |
| Ectromelia Virus (ECTRO) | Hantavirus (HANT) |
| Mouse Pneumotropic Virus (K) | Infectious Diarrhea of Infant Rats (IDIR, ROTA) |
| Polyoma virus (POLY) | Encephalitozoon cuniculi (ECUN) |
| Mouse Cytomegalovirus (MCMV) | Cilia-Associated Respiratory Bacillus (CARB) |
| Hantavirus (HANT) | |
| Prospect Hill Virus (HANT) | |
| Mouse Thymic Virus (MTLV) | |
| Encephalitozoon cuniculi (ECUN) | |
| Cilia-Associated Respiratory Bacillus (CARB) | |
| Lactate Dehydrogenase Elevating Virus (LDV) |
| Mouse & Rate |
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| Bordetella bronchiseptica |
| Corynebacterium kutscheri |
| Klebsiella oxytoca |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae |
| Pasteurella multocida |
| Pasteurella pneumotropica (Jawetz & Heyl biotypes) |
| Streptococcus pneumoniae |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
| Staphylococcus aureus |
| Streptococcus (Beta-hemolytic) |
| Other bacteria |
| Gastrointestinal Tract Culture Panel – Mouse & RAT |
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| Citrobacter rodentium (mouse only) |
| Klebsiella oxytoca |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
| Salmonella spp. |
| Other bacteria |
| Other – Mouse & Rat |
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| Necropsy |
| Histology for any abnormal necropsy findings |
| Ecto- and Endo-parasite evaluation |
| PCR for listed pathogens |
UTSA students (non-employees) enrolled in educational research programs that involve working directly or indirectly with: 1) live animal research, unfixed animal tissues or wastes; 2) non-human primates with potentially infectious diseases, their blood, unfixed tissues or wastes; 3) pathogenic organisms; or 4) carcinogenic chemicals (cancer inducing drugs), toxins or other non-biological materials identified based on risk, are to be enrolled in a medical surveillance program. Similarly, persons not otherwise affiliated with UTSA (volunteers) who will be exposed to any of the aforementioned must also enroll in a occupational health program.To begin enrollment, students/volunteers must complete the Request and Authorization form (below). The Principal Investigator (PI), Lab Supervisor or Sponsor must sign this form. Submit completed forms via fax, email or in person to the Laboratory Animal Resources Center (LARC) office in Graduate School and Research Building (GSR), Room 2.130L 2.104. Fax (210) 458-6087 Email larc@utsa.edu.
Once the LARC has granted authorization, approved forms will be returned to the enrollee.
Once the individual has received appropriate LARC authorization, they may schedule an appointment for medical evaluation through Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management (EHSRM) by calling (210) 458-5072 (phone/fax combination #) or emailing UTSAOHP@utsa.edu.
VERY IMPORTANT: The signed Authorization form must be taken to the medical appointment to be seen.
Prior to the appointment, each student or volunteer must complete a Risk Assessment and an Animal Allergy Questionnaire. If an individual desires a more thorough evaluation, they should also complete the Health Assessment (optional). Additionally, if an individual will require use of a respirator, they should complete the Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire. These forms are available below. Please submit your completed enrollment paperwork to EHSRM via fax or intercampus mail prior to your appointment.
Once all SMSI forms, test results and vaccinations required for your on-campus activities have been processed by the SMSI Licensed Health Care Professional/Provider (or your personal physician, if applicable), you and your PI/Sponsor will be notified of your medical clearance to participate in the specified activity.