Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Epidemiology and Infection logoLink to Epidemiology and Infection
. 1991 Aug;107(1):157–170. doi: 10.1017/s0950268800048780

Physical protection against airborne pathogens and pollutants by a novel animal isolator in a level 3 containment laboratory.

C M Wathes 1, H E Johnson 1
PMCID: PMC2272038  PMID: 1908783

Abstract

A containment laboratory unit for research with aerosols of group 2 pathogenic microorganisms is described. The design criteria are based on current UK guidelines, which imply containment at group 3 level during aerosol production, storage, exposure of animals and sampling. Within the aerosol laboratory, primary containment is provided by a Henderson apparatus operating at a negative pressure to the external environment. Flexible film isolators under negative pressure are used for all hazardous microbiological work, e.g. tissue homogenization, and for housing infected laboratory rodents. A novel feature of the animal isolator is the separate ventilation of each cage, which minimizes the risk of cross-infection by aerosol transmission and ensures a similar environment within each cage. The results of an intentional release of a cloud of non-pathogenic microorganisms are presented to show the effectiveness of the containment barriers. Recommendations are given for the safe operation of a containment unit based upon practical experience.

Full text

PDF
157

Images in this article

159Fig. 2
on p.159
160Fig. 3
on p.160

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Beall J. R., Torning F. E., Runkle R. S. A laminar flow system for animal maintenance. Lab Anim Sci. 1971 Apr;21(2):206–212. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Clough G., Hill A., Blackmore D. K. Evaluation of a filter rack for laboratory rodents. Lab Anim. 1973 May;7(2):149–159. doi: 10.1258/002367773781008605. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Druett H. A. A mobile form of the Henderson apparatus. J Hyg (Lond) 1969 Sep;67(3):437–448. doi: 10.1017/s0022172400041851. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. GOLDBERG L. J., WATKINS H. M., BOERKE E. E., CHATIGNY M. A. The use of a rotating drum for the study of aerosols over extended periods of time. Am J Hyg. 1958 Jul;68(1):85–93. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a119954. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Keller G. L., Mattingly S. F., Knapke F. B., Jr A forced-air individually ventilated caging system for rodents. Lab Anim Sci. 1983 Dec;33(6):580–582. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Lane-Petter W. A ventilation barrier to the spread of infection in laboratory animal colonies. Lab Anim. 1970 Apr;4(1):125–134. doi: 10.1258/002367770781036490. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. McGarrity G. J., Coriell L. L. Mass airflow cabinet for control of airborne infection of laboratory rodents. Appl Microbiol. 1973 Aug;26(2):167–172. doi: 10.1128/am.26.2.167-172.1973. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Taylor A. N., Longbottom J. L., Pepys J. Respiratory allergy to urine proteins of rats and mice. Lancet. 1977 Oct 22;2(8043):847–849. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(77)90783-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Yamauchi C., Fujita S., Obara T., Ueda T. Effects of room temperature on reproduction, body and organ weights, food and water intakes, and hematology in mice. Jikken Dobutsu. 1983 Jan;32(1):1–11. doi: 10.1538/expanim1978.32.1_1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Epidemiology and Infection are provided here courtesy of Cambridge University Press

RESOURCES