March/April 2020
A Clean Sweep LAS Pros explore current topics in sanitation, disinfection, and training. An Eyewitness to AALAS History: Meet Dr. Robert Litt Establishing a New 4-H Group to Help Students Grow Facilitating Better Communication between IACUCs and IBCs Creative Outreach and Enrichment Items Deliver Engagement Opportunities
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March/April 2020 Vol. 8 Issue 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
10
Wash Your Hands
14
Pathogens and Animal Biosecurity
18
Learning the Basics
20
Excluding Pathogens in an Isolator Mouse Production Facility
28
A Window to the Past
30
AALAS Serves: Heads, Hearts, Hands, Health
Keeping your hands clean is the first line of defense against pathogens.
14
Effective cleaning and disinfection is a key player in the biosecurity battle.
Check your understanding of the basic disinfection terms.
28
Pathogen exclusion is crucial to science, animal health, and wellbeing.
A cup of coffee among five Chicago-area vets led to what would become AALAS.
AALAS member, Lori Mattox, embraced an opportunity to impact local students through 4-H.
30 March/April 2020
A Clean Sweep LAS Pros explore current topics in sanitation, disinfection, and training. An Eyewitness to AALAS History: Meet Dr. Robert Litt Establishing a New 4-H Group to Help Students Grow Facilitating Better Communication between IACUCs and IBCs Creative Outreach and Enrichment Items Deliver Engagement Opportunities
2 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
On the cover: Fernando De La Garza and trainer swine from the Becton Dickinson (BD) Research Animal Program. Photo courtesy of Andrew Spinks, Scientist II at BD.
What can
Research Ready
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Research-Ready means having clean, single-use cages and pre-filled water delivered directly to your vivarium; cages that are pre-bedded, pre-enriched, and irradiated upon arrival. It means reducing repetitive non-ergonomic tasks such as cage processing. It means having peace of mind knowing you’ll receive consistent products with guaranteed quality. Research-Ready means your vivarium can focus on what’s important: the science.
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Less Washing, More Science
34
54
71
DEPARTMENTS 5 Publisher’s Note
50 Tech Tips
6 People & Places
53 Crossword
Being Mindful
Insights on techniques and tactics
Test your certification knowledge
New hires, promotions, awards, memorials
8 PROfiles in LAS
66 Across the Pond
European LAS updates and news
Meet Mish Irish
34 Outreach
AREA program funding expands outreach impact
68 AALAS Foundation Updates and news
69 AALAS Connection
Meet new AALAS staff members
44 Career & Training
Goal setting and student loan debt tips
49 Enrichment
DIY ideas for enrichment
4 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
71 Pet Talk
AALAS members talk about their pets
72 Ad Index
PUBLISHER’S NOTE Staff Publisher Ann Turner Associate Publisher Chris Lyons
Being Mindful
Managing Editor John Farrar Associate Editor Liz Rozanski
You can't open any popular magazine without seeing an article on mindfulness. Lifestyle gurus, self-help experts, and talk show hosts are all beating the drum about being mindful. If you listen to them or read articles about this topic, you may come away with several different take on what mindfulness means. For me, being mindful is making the time to engage, listen, and be open to new possibilities. It is important to be mindful because you never know how important a casual conversation may become. When I fielded the call from Susan Swan about her father, Dr. Robert Litt, I was presented an opportunity to connect our current AALAS members with a gentleman who was there at the very beginning of what would become our association. What a gift that unexpected phone call was. Do take a moment to read about Dr. Litt and his thoughts on animal science. We often rush through our days, not thinking about the impact our words may have. Casual conversations flow around us, but sometimes those chats have nuggets of profound wisdom. Several years ago, a dear friend once told me, "There is no reason to retire unless you find something you want to do more." I've revisited that bit of wisdom shared during a normal conversation. I've not found anything I want to do more than serve AALAS. 2020 will be my 19th year as Executive Director, and there still isn't anything I'd rather be doing. Mindfulness also involves time. Coming out of the holiday season, I have been reminded of how important it is to spend time with family and friends. We should make time to be present with them. Darrell and I just got back from a 14-night cruise to Antarctica. Nine of those days and nights were at sea, and we had a lot of time to just "be." We should all relish those moments of just being and sharing time and space with loved ones. Remember, whether those mindful moments come from an unexpected phone call, a conversation that resonates, or a chance to be still, create mindfulness for yourself and define it in a way that best suits you.
Ann Turner
Ad Sales John Farrar Design/Production Zara Garza
Editorial Advisory Board David Bienus USAMRIID Andrew Burich Benaroya Research Institute Bob Dauchy Tulane Univ School of Medicine David DeOrnellis Champions Oncology Penny Devlin Pennsylvania State Univ College of Med Sonia Doss Duke Univ Medical Center Glenn Jackson Cornell University Jamie Naden Envigo Elizabeth Nunamaker Univ of Florida Karuna Patil Federation Bio Amy Pierce Tulane Univ School of Medicine Stacy Pritt UT Southwestern Medical Center Robin Tucker Georgetown Univ
Mission Statement Laboratory Animal Science Professional (LAS Pro) is the official magazine for American Association for Laboratory Animal Science members. LAS Pro provides a wide range of useful resources and knowledge to the association’s 13,000 laboratory animal science professionals who are involved in advancing responsible laboratory animal care and use to benefit people and animals. All signed articles, including, committee reports, news, and commentary, reflect the individual views of the authors and are not official views of AALAS. Authorization to photocopy portions for personal or internal use is granted by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Photocopying for purposes of resale or outside distribution is prohibited unless written approval is obtained from the AALAS Director of Communications. Copyright 2020 by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Laboratory Animal Science Professional (USPS 010-730) is published bimonthly by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive, Memphis, TN 38125. Periodicals Postage paid at Memphis, TN 38101 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AALAS, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive, Memphis, TN 38125-8538.
Publisher Executive Director American Association for Laboratory Animal Science American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive Memphis, TN 38125-8538 Phone: 901-754-8620 Fax: 901-753-0046 E-mail: info@aalas.org Web: www.aalas.org
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 5
PEOPLE & PLACES
New hires, promotions, meeting updates, and memorials. Finches at the Rockefeller University.” The branch thanks all the wonderful presenters.
LAT Certified, Congratulations!
The Department of Comparative Medicine at Stanford University would like to congratulate Adriana Liz, Andrea Craig, Alyssa Gavidia, Claire Ellis, My Hoang, Stephanie Ramalho, and Tiffany Hong on achieving LAT certification. Well done, ladies!
NJAALAS Holds First General Meeting of 2020 Metro New York’s Technician Night featured presentations from (left to right) Chaya Goodman, Tamika Johnson, Ruben Escano, Yeriel Hiciano, and Belinda To.
Metro New York Branch Celebrates Tech Night
The Metropolitan New York AALAS branch held their Annual Technician night at Rockefeller University on November 14, 2019. A workshop on “Cage Wash Safety and Handling of Chemicals” was presented by Vincent Romano of Quip Laboratories. After social hour, attendees listened to three excellent presentations. Ruben Escano and Yeriel Hiciano from Regeneron presented, “Isolator Mouse Production Facility Features and Operations for the Exclusion of Opportunistic Pathogens.” Belinda To from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center shared, “Introduction to Pinnipeds at the Marine Mammal Rescue Center.” Tamika Johnson and Chaya Goodman from Rockefeller University presented, “The Care of
On Tuesday, January 21, NJAALAS held their first general membership meeting at Rutgers University (CABM) Center for Advanced Biotechnology & Medicine. These meetings are themed events planned by the branch’s event planner, Nakeisha Williams. The “Last of the Holidays” theme fostered smiles and laughter throughout the networking and dinner portions of the evening. The tech hour presenters were Nancy Rossi, BS, RLATG, Animal Research Facility Supervisor, Comparative Medicine Resources and Mariel Nigro, LVT, LATG, Rutgers University-Piscataway. Ms. Rossi brought a special guest star, Skylar, her therapy dog. Sylar melted hearts and stole the show! The presentation, “Compassion Fatigue and Pet Therapy Benefits,” provided insight into the compassion fatigue issue. Compassion fatigue is also known as secondary stress trauma or vicarious trauma and is experienced by those helping people or
Stanford University's Dept. of Comparative Medicine congratulates (from left to right) Claire Ellis, Adriana Liz, Stephanie Ramalho, Alyssa Gavidia, Andrea Craig, Tiffany Hong, and My Hoang.
6 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
NYU. The Vendor of the Year Award was presented to Colin Sabine, W.F. FISHER. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bob Bentzinger, Shepherd Specialty Papers. The Outstanding Service Award was presented to Vivian Carbonell, 2019 MNYBAALAS President. The Presidential Gavel, sponsored by Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., was presented to Caitlyn Gallagher, 2020 MNYBAALAS President
RTB Holds Annual Awards Banquet
Therapy dog, Skylar, made a special guest appearance at the recent NJAALAS meeting.
animals in distress. Attendees learned about the benefits of pet therapy, which can help people dealing with traumas. Nancy and Skylar often visit special needs children to help them engage and learn about animals. The main scientific speaker was William Singleton, DVM, DACLAM, from Animal Care Training Services. Dr. Singleton spoke on “Improved Engagement and Maximized Motivation: A Leadership Lesson.” The discussion explored aspects of engagement and motivation that lead to greater success as a current or future leader. Understanding how to engage employees is critical to the success of any manager or leader in order to have a fully engaged team and uncompromised animal welfare. The branch thanks those who attended. The next meeting will be March 17, 2020.
Research Triangle Branch of AALAS Annual Awards banquet was held in Raleigh on February 6, 2020. Over 120 members attended, representing managers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, husbandry technicians, and vendors. The gavel was passed on to the 2020 RTB President, Emily Weston (UNC Chapel Hill), and the incoming President-elect, Ashley Foley (Duke University) was announced. Members had a great time at the event, and it was wonderful to recognize colleagues for their contributions to the field. The award winners were: Ancare Rookie of the Year Award: Abbey Biggers, Duke University; Purina Pro Lab Award: Mark Snead, Mispro Biotech Services; Bio-Serv Enrichment Award: Chrissy Sherrill, Wake Forest University; Envigo Research Technician Award: Carol Anne Parks, Charles River Laboratories; Tecniplast Innovation Award: Ken Muller, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Allentown Manager of the Year Award: Courtney P. Nesline, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Charles River President’s Award: Allison Geiner, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Metro New York Celebrates 2019 Awards
The Metro New York Branch presented their end-of-year awards on January 24, 2020 at the India House. The awards committee is chaired by Vanessa Nieves with Joanne DeStefano, Stephanie Pistilli, and Diana Medina serving as committee members. Congratulations to all our award recipients! Sponsored by W F Fisher and Son, Inc. in fond remembrance of Douglas F. McBride, DVM, the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Award, was presented to Esmeralda Castro, WCM. The Laboratory Animal Technician Award, sponsored by Purina LabDiet, in memory of John J. Sabine, Jr. was presented to Ramon Nina, Columbia University. Lynne Rudwich, MSKCC, won the Laboratory Animal Technologist Award, sponsored by American Protective Products. The Innovation of the Year Award, sponsored by Tecniplast, was presented to Sonia Thomas, Columbia University. The BioServ Enhancement of Animal Welfare Award was presented to Sara Hastings, Columbia University. This award is sponsored BioServ. The Allentown Inc. Manager of the Year Award, sponsored by Allentown, was presented to Antoine Florestal, Columbia University. The Fred Quimby Veterinarian of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Kevin Presita,
Emily Butler, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, (left) 2019 RTB President passing the gavel onto the incoming 2020 RTB President, Emily Weston, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 7
5
minutes with...
Mish Irish, LATG
12
PRO-files in LAS Facility/Employer: Penn State University Animal Resource Program Job Title: ABSL3 and Gnotobiotic Laboratory Animal Technician How did you get in this field? I’ve always been enamored with animals,
which led me to pursue an internship at the Baltimore Zoo, where I completed a research practicum with the veterinary hospital. At the zoo, I worked with all kinds of animals, which got me interested in exotics. I ended up getting a pair of chinchillas as pets. I later learned about a nearby chinchilla show, so I went and met some breeders. Eventually, I began raising chinchillas. I met a helpful breeder named Dave, who was also an animal caretaker with Merck. While I did research at the zoo, it was Dave who introduced me to the field of laboratory animal science and caretaking.
Who were your mentors? Dr. Michael Cranfield at the Baltimore Zoo
supervised my research practicum, where I studied a strain of C. serpentis in geckos. He introduced me to all the animals at the zoo, specifically nonhuman primate care. Dr. Cranfield was heavily involved in mountain gorilla conservation, and we also maintained a research colony of lion-tailed macaques at the hospital. Dave Woods, as I mentioned before, of the Mutation Chinchilla Breeders Association, was my guide into raising chinchillas. Any question I had regarding breeding complications or health issues, from mastitis to malocclusion, he had an answer. I took over as president of the MCBA’s Atlantic Chapter when he stepped down, and he also trained me to be a judge at chinchilla shows.
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What are your current interests in animal science? I’m kind of a history buff, especially the World Wars. I connect the 1918 Spanish Flu with WWI, so I geeked out when I got the opportunity to work with an investigator studying influenza transmission in ferrets, including the 1918 Spanish Flu.
Getting Personal What companion animals do you have?
Currently only cats, but when I was raising chinchillas, the number of rodents in my house outnumbered people 100 to 1.
Best binge-watching TV series? I really only watch hockey.
What is the last book you read? The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs by Tristan Gooley.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I recently went on a cruise with my family in the Caribbean which stopped in the Bahamas, Mexico, and Honduras. I liked them all, it was quite novel to be swimming in November. A warm beach is nice.
What is your favorite dessert? Cheesecake
2
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Taking over the world, Pinky. Just
kidding, seriously, there will always be animals in my life. I didn’t have pets growing up, but I watched Marty Stouffer’s Wild America and had a subscription to Ranger Rick. After my internship at the zoo ended, I continued working there as a “safari guide” and spent a lot of my time at the camel rides. I fell in love with a baby white camel named Lucki (his mother was Penni), who would always run up to me and then chew my shoelaces. Because of him, I want to own a camel one day. I just need to get a farm first.
What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part is taking care of the animals, of course. Especially the ferrets, they can be pretty silly!
What advice do you have for others just beginning their animal science career? You will always have something to learn. When raising
3
chinchillas, I got a line of Lowe Recessive Whites, a rare color mutation, the first of which appeared in Bob Lowe’s Canadian herd. One year, the MCBA held a seminar on rare mutations, and I brought two of my LRWs. Another breeder brought two Goldbars, another rare recessive color that first showed up at Bob and June Baar’s ranch in California. For years, it was maintained that these were two separate mutations, and they were developed independently, but seeing them together, side by side at the seminar, a few of us thought they looked incredibly similar. So, the other breeder lent me two Goldbar females, and I bred them with my LRW male. All three kits produced were the same creamy, off-white color of their parents, indicating that these two separate lines were the same mutation.
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What is the most rewarding aspect of your career? The most rewarding aspect is knowing I am helping to make valuable contributions to science by ensuring humane use of animals.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your career? I don’t like the days I have to euthanize an animal. Compassion fatigue is real. The only thing that helps, it sounds corny, but I thank the animals for their service. And then I go cry for a while. 8 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
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March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Current topics in disinfection and sanitation
Hand Sanitation Revealed
Human hands are among the best pathogen cross-contaminators in the world. By A.L. Pichierri
I
n June 2015, market research estimates indicated that the infection control market would be worth $16.7 billion by 2020.6 The same report outlined the market being segmented into hospitals, research, life sciences, medical device companies, pharmaceutical companies, food industry, and others.6 Infection prevention (IP) encompasses personal and environmental hygiene and is a responsibility for everyone in social settings throughout industry, education, research, food service, etc. We share one commonality whether we are within a medical office, research facility, institution of learning, office-settings, coffee stations, or in our private lives. The IP responsibility we share is cross-contamination via the hands, the primary villainous vector of transmission. Humans are the best cross-contaminators of pathogens in the world. Humans spread the flu virus and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) from person to person, person to surface, or surface to person. The hands have been proven, through extensive scientific and corporate studies, to be the primary vector for cross-contamination.
Looking Back: A Historical Perspective
The correlation of proper hand hygiene to antisepsis likely occurred in the early 19th century. In 1822 a French pharmacist demonstrated that solutions containing chlorides of lime or soda could eradicate the foul odors associated with human corpses. He went on to show that this solution could be used as disinfectants and antiseptics.5 In 1843, Oliver Wendell Holmes concluded that puerperal fever was spread via the hands. Ignaz Semmelweis observed in 1846 that “cadaverous particles” were transmitted via the hands by medical students traversing from one campus venue to another. He implemented student protocols from that point forward, including the washing of hands with a chlorine solution before entering the clinic setting.3 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that failing to wash or insufficiently washing hands contributes “to almost 50% of all foodborne illness outbreaks.”2 A heightened awareness of cross-contamination via the hands is an individual responsibility. Today, hand hygiene remains one of our most immense societal hygiene challenges. Technology is helpful; however, the human species needs to implement the tools and processes provided to affect change habitually. This is especially true in critical professions where one’s actions affect another’s health and safety. 10 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
The Role of Habit and Hand Hygiene
Habit comprises a large part of hand hygiene performance and compliance. In The Science Of Habit,7 the authors provide explanations that track this social phenomenon. They identify reflective drivers of behavior (knowledge, norms, emotions) and reflexive drivers/actions (habit). Their study showed that approximately 45% of human behavior is habitual. Of the 45%, there is a mix of behaviors consistent with healthy or consistent with people’s goals. The converse was also held that there are behaviors that are inconsistent with people’s goals. This is important when implementing habit-based approaches to behavioral interventions regarding hand hygiene. This is an important consideration in seeking better hand hygiene outcomes. As optimistic as this may sound, reality deals us a different scenario. Additional drivers are education, culture, laziness, inconvenience, desire, selfishness, general poor personal hygiene, and mental challenges, just to name a few. Due to this variance in the human condition, manufacturers have invested billions of dollars attempting to offset and displace these poor traits, thus giving birth to the billion-dollar hand sanitizer market. Developing habitual use with a hand sanitizer further challenged the market. The human condition dictates hand hygiene success. A hand hygiene system needs to drive the end-user to develop a desirable habit for frequent use to be successfully effective and raise compliance. Those who have a heightened awareness of the importance of compliant hand hygiene seek, adopt, and implement optimal hand hygiene protocols. Protocols include cleaning of soil from the skin and sanitizing after that, as suggested by Semmelweis, and Holmes 118 years ago. The other, stubborn and less compliant 45% of human behavior, will require technical assistance to redirect their dysfunctions by developing positive habits leading to enhanced hand hygiene success.
Societal Influence
Living in a global society brings cultural color, celebration, and diversity with their corresponding social dynamics and customs. Travel has made the world smaller and more susceptible. In the intimate society of our workplace, protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be developed and mandated. Hand hygiene, as an apex priority, must be taught in a cyclic and repetitive routine. The stages of hand hygiene education should be in our elementary schools, in the workplace, and reinforced in the home. Most importantly, hand hygiene is a personal responsibility. This respectful gesture of proper hand hygiene is for self and others. Many individuals fail to wash their hands after engaging in activities that would warrant or require washing. Our educational system is a petri dish for pathogen development, with thousands of little hands ready to spread germs around and take them home. Schools are one of our most hopeful targets for teaching proper hand hygiene. The work environment also requires close observation and compliance. Medical professionals require mandated hand hygiene SOPs for the health and safety of their patients, and medical staff. Research professionals should demand the same for compliance of specific cleanroom standards, or protection of vital research inventory. This also begs the question, “What/who are you protecting, yourself, others, projects, or sensitive inventory?” As our hands are a major recipient and distributor of pathogens, the answer is realistically, all the above. As individuals, it is our responsibility to break the link in cross-contamination whenever possible. Although we should have a handle on it by now, it somehow still eludes, at best count, 45% of the population. So how do we improve on the hand hygiene process and herd the populace to the “sani-station”? One idea is to develop a formula and delivery system that is fun to use, and that encourages use.
Hand Hygiene Formula Development
Since 1822 a plethora of hand sanitizer formulas and application hardware have emerged. The hand hygiene market developed into a self-perpetuating and problem-solving industry, mostly due to consumer dissatisfaction with hand hygiene formulations. Hospital studies examined what parameters influence the public in the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, including equipment location, time of day visitors enter facilities, visitors’ age and their relationship to usage, groups versus individuals, etc.4 However, nothing in this study references or evaluates the formula efficacy of the sanitizer itself. The sanitizer is, in this author’s view, the primary reason for non-compliance compared to environmental or individual habits. People must want to use a sanitizer formulation. Hence, the industry had to develop a hand hygiene formula that would encourage use. The industrial chemical cleaning manufacturing formulas created problems due to chemical irritations, contact dermatitis, allergic reactions, and sticky or gummy skin residues. These residues functioned as a micro-greenhouse and were purported to enable pathogen development and antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The result was a public that typically rejected hand sanitizers as a learned condition. Neither the formulas nor the dispensing systems encouraged use. With few exceptions, the hand hygiene industry continues today to be challenged by these obstacles. Viscous gels, foams, and lotion formulas containing Triclosan (pulled from the market), Chlorhexidine gluconate, etc., have been demonstrated to be uncomfortable, irritating, residue drying, and/or result in allergic reactions. These allergic reactions may be caused by the combination of the active chemical ingredients and/or the filler ingredients necessary to either suspend the active chemical or to soothe tissues due to damaging or irritating chemical agents within the formulas. March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 11
Conversely, alcohol is residue-free and nonallergenic. Unlike viscous formulation such as gels, foams, and lotions, alcohol flows freely and deeply penetrate tissues providing comprehensive coverage, thus increasing efficacy and compliance.
The cycle of sporogenesis begins with a vulnerable vegetative state of the bacterium later developing into a more resilient spore. During this early phase, the bacterium may be dissolved and neutralized by 70% IPA, thus breaking the cycle of spore development: C. diff, etc. Testing ‘in vivo’ versus ‘in vitro’
Hand hygiene formula strength is typically listed on the label. It usually reads a percentage of alcohol as an active ingredient. However, unless it reads V/V or W/W, the percent listed is a nebulous figure. It is important to know if the packaging contains 62% alcohol by volume, or, whether the strength of the active alcohol ingredient alone is 62%. Is the container mostly filled with nonactive filler ingredients with a little active ingredient added? Additionally, a proper methodology for testing is that the finished hand sanitizer product formula, not just
TM
the active ingredient alone, is tested both in vivo and in vitro. There is no value in testing the active ingredient alone in vivo or in vitro if it is going to be added back into the gel, foam, or lotion, as is commonly done and marketed otherwise.
Alcohol: The Mechanism of Function and Best Choice for Sanitation
The cowboy westerns where the hero gets shot and takes a slug of bourbon before pouring it into the bullet hole may be fraught with saccharine-drama and sound a bit theatric. In reality, (other than a waste of good whiskey) pouring a little Jack on the wound was a smart idea to minimize infection. But why? Why is it superior to toxic and irritating chemical alternatives? In the 1920s, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was invented for surgical instrument sterilization and then in subsequent decades for skin disinfection. Alcohol is a solvent, which is the precise mechanism of function by which it renders a pathogen neutral. IPA dissolves fatting agents such as oil, fatting agents in the tissues, and similarly, a pathogen’s protein wall. Once the pathogen wall integrity is compromised, the pathogen ruptures and dies. Ethanol is a cousin of IPA but has different chemical polarities, which allegedly provides additional lysing capacity for more difficult pathogens such as norovirus.
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12 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
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As the awareness of hand hygiene took hold in the 1970s, the industry mushroomed. Hand sanitizers initially created from the industrial chemical cleaning industry, using the current chemistry of the times, appeared on the market, including attempts to use IPA and ethanol. As sanitizer manufacturers began to embrace the use of alcohol in their formulas, the drying aspect of alcohol remained a puzzle. Additional issues surfaced with evaporation and the dissolving of the formulas’ moisturizing fatting agents. Manufacturers began implementing a host of inert ingredients to avoid separation of the alcohol in the formula. It became necessary to encapsulate the alcohol molecule to suspend it within the gels. Chemists used the anti-drying inert ingredients in the formula to isolate the alcohol molecule from drying the skin. Unfortunately, this process isolated the alcohol molecule from the pathogen reducing its efficacy. Further, unrelated nonactive inert ingredients increase bioresidues, which wick moisture from tissues and encourage a greenhouse effect leading to antibacterial resistance. The fewer the inert ingredients, (V/V or W/W), in a hand hygiene formula, the higher concentration the active ingredient should be. Despite societal need, hand hygiene formulas were and, in most cases, are today not embraced by the consumer. Reported incidences of contact dermatitis, skin irritation, and allergic reactions reduced consumer confidence. While alcohol was a nearly perfect nonallergenic antiseptic, it dissolved the natural oils in the tissues, thus drying the skin. To this, alcohol received a drying stigma. This challenge would ultimately be resolved in 1999. A father and son, nuclear and plasma physicist team, Horst and Michl Binderbauer1 were able to take an alcohol (solvent) molecule and bind it to a proprietary emollient (fatting agent) molecule creating a pure rinse formula. Alcohol does not possess surface tension; therefore, it will flow and spread unabated, providing a unique benefit. When the alcohol and emollient molecule cohabitate, a situation is established where the alcohol and emollient molecule are transported as one allowing the antiseptic and healing molecular components of the formula to flow deep into sore, dry, or cracked hands typically caused from over washing. This globally patented discovery revolutionized the hand sanitizer industry. We now had a 4-ingredient formula which penetrated tissues, fingernails, cuticles, and provided thorough coverage. The rapid evaporation factor made this formula perfect for the fast-paced environment seen in the medical and scientific community.
Dispensing
The challenge now was developing a sealed dispensing system without any moving parts. Alcohol lacks surface tension, unlike viscous gels, foams, and lotions. Envisioning the future of their formula, Horst and Michl embarked upon developing a solid-state, hermetically sealed, gravity-fed, touchless
dispensing system, which included adjustable dosing options to accommodate hand size. This resulted in the most integrated science-based hand hygiene formula and dispensing system currently available addressing most consumer myths about hand sanitizers. The system encourages use due to the science of the formula, its mechanism of function, and the extensive dispensing options, which makes it fun to use. This combination of design functions promotes both reflexive and reflective behavioral drivers and enables changes in habits resulting in better infection prevention outcomes.
Summary
The solution to a socially complex hand hygiene challenge could only be conceived by scientists as they calculated social norms and designed resolution into their formulations and hardware design. Encouraging use is key to hand hygiene system success. Only then can good habits be developed, and metrics be demonstrated and accurately calculated. As with any sanitation, disinfecting, or decontamination process, cleaning the surface is the first step by removing bioburden and allowing the disinfectant to reach the target pathogen on the surface being treated. The same premise applies to hand hygiene. Wash then sanitize. If no visible soil is on the hands, then an alcohol rinse/wash is the most effective method for hand sanitation. A habit becomes indelible only through repetition. A.L. Pichierri is President/CEO of Coast to Coast Infection Control in Carlsbad, CA. REFERENCES 1. Binderbauer Pharmaceuticals. [Internet]. 2020. Controlling disease by cleaning and sanitation. [Cited 24 January 2020]. Available at: https://germstar.com/ 2. Borchgrevink CP, Cha J, Kim S. 2013. Hand washing practices in a college town environment. J Environ Health 75 (8): 18-24 3. Carter KC, editor. 1983. Semmelweis I. Etiology, concept, and prophylaxis of childbed fever. Madison (WI): The University of Wisconsin Press 4. Hobbs MA, Robinson S, Neyens DM, Steed C. 2016. Visitor characteristics and alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispenser locations at the hospital entrance: Effect on visitor use rates. Am J Infect Control 44 (3): 258-262 5. LaBarraque AG. 1829. Instructions and observations regarding the use of the chlorides of soda and lime. Porter J, ed. [French] New Haven (CT): Baldwin and Treadway 6. MarketandMarkets. [Internet]. Infection control market worth $16.7 billion by 2020. [Cited 24 January 2020]. Available at: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/infectioncontrol-market-worth-167-billion-by-2020-508122291.html 7. Neal D, Vujcic J, Hernandez O, Wood W. 2015. The science of habit: Creating disruptive and sticky behavior change in handwashing behavior. Washington (DC): Washplus
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14 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Current topics in disinfection and sanitation
Cleaning and Disinfection as Key Elements of Animal Biosecurity By Nicole Kenny, HBSc. Assoc Chem
D
isinfecting a facility is expensive. Making a poor disinfectant choice and implementing an ineffective cleaning process can add to these costs. Ensuring effective and streamlined protocols and assessing the facility type is an important first step. Within laboratory animal environments, numerous measures are employed to minimize or eradicate pathogens that can cause clinical disease and impact research. The methods can range from specialized care requirements to regular health monitoring; however, the program’s overall goal is to break the chain of infection. A key player in this battle is cleaning and disinfection. To achieve compliance amongst staff, it’s important to review the protocols to confirm they are optimized to reduce time, labor, and complexity. Wet Cleaning Facilities
Implementing an effective cleaning and disinfection process will reduce labor and product consumption costs. In wet cleaning facilities, typically seen in large animal operations, there are floor drains or troughs available. In these facilities, if excessive soil loads (bedding, dust, excrement, etc.) are visible, implementation of a thorough pre-cleaning step is very important. Pre-cleaning removes visible soils, and involves a detergent solution or one-step disinfectant cleaner, mechanical action, and water as a rinse step. Cleaning is crucial as soils can impact the efficacy of disinfectants and prevent them from reaching their intended target. Additionally, mechanical cleaning alone reduces the pathogen load by up to 2-logs (100×). Large areas require the use of mechanically assisted cleaning followed by disinfection application that involves equipment such as sprayers and foamers to reach ceilings and walls and to coat large equipment. Utilize products that have the capability to foam and cling to surfaces. These products are applied by foaming bottom to top and then rinsing top to bottom. This process will reduce product wastage and the time taken to complete cleaning and disinfection while ensuring adequate surface coverage.
surfaces. In general, there are limited levels of soiling; therefore, a one-step cleaning-disinfection protocol suffices. However, if preferred, a separate disinfection step may be added as a preventative measure. In situations where visible soils, blood, or other animal fluids are observable, use a two-step cleaning and disinfection procedure. To minimize disease transmission and ensure the required contact time is achieved, protocols that utilize ready-to-use disinfectants or premoistened wipes that carry shorter contact times are preferred.
Application Equipment Is Key
Inappropriate use of cleaning and disinfection tools can spread disease and negate your infection prevention and biosecurity program.2,5 A range of application equipment is available. Selection of the best tools for the facility type and usage is important. For example, wet string mops and mop buckets can harbor and spread bacterial contamination. Investigating al-
Dry Cleaning Facilities
Reducing the risk of disease transmission requires that the disinfectant’s required contact time is achieved.4 In dry facilities or areas typically seen in small animal operations, there are no floor drains or troughs. This also applies to auxiliary areas such as corridors and surgical rooms. Unlike areas that allow for wet cleaning, methods of application should minimize the amount of disinfectant being applied. In these areas, protocols involve mopping floors and hand spraying/wiping the equipment and
A lab animal tech applying disinfectants using a handheld pump up foamer.
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 15
A lab animal tech disinfecting a biosafety cabinet with a single-use microfiber mop system.
ternatives, such as disposable single-use microfiber mop heads, can help mitigate concerns. The disinfectant’s performance can even be impacted by the substrate choice. Quaternary ammonium compounds (quat) products can become attracted to and bind into fabrics such as cotton resulting in less release of the disinfectant reaching the surface which reduces efficacy. Understanding the chemistry of the disinfectant and the most suitable substrates is necessary to ensure effectiveness. Mechanical application equipment, such as sprayers and foamers, must be calibrated to dispense the appropriate solution and to achieve the required product contact time on the surface. For concentrated solutions, moving towards an automated wall-mounted dilution system is also key to avoid issues with hand mixing. A calibration step is similarly required to ensure the system is dispensing the right ratio. Other methods, such as test strips, can help confirm concentration.
Selecting an Ideal Disinfectant
Today’s cleaning and disinfectant technologies do not help facilities effectively combat pathogens; even worse, they are a threat to human and animal health.3,1 There are several key criteria to consider when choosing a chemical disinfectant. It is not just about cleaning ability or biocidal efficacy against pathogens on your exclusion lists. Another important consideration is the safety profile of the solution and the potential occupational health and safety risks. Ideally, the solution should be non-toxic, non-irritating, etc. Several of the most commonly used disinfectants rely on relatively high, and hence hazardous, concentrations of chlorine releasing agents, quaternary ammonium compounds, and alcohols. Many of these substances present risk of permanent eye, skin, and mucous membrane damage and some are potentially carcinogenic.3,1 16 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Further, for long term cost savings, a non-corrosive and highly compatible solution can also extend the life of your valuable equipment. For example, Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide® (AHP®) based one-step cleaner disinfectants offer the perfect balance between safety, compatibility, efficacy, long shelf life, and more which makes it an ideal disinfectant for laboratory animal facilities. Once all the components are in place, investment in the proper staff training to remain compliant and maintain the highest standards of biosecurity is key. Nicole Kenny, HBSc. Assoc Chem, Vice President, Professional & Technical Services at Virox Technologies Inc. in Oakville, ON. REFERENCES: 1. Arif AA, Delclos GL, Serra C. 2009. Occupational exposures and asthma among nursing professionals. Occup Environ Med 66: 274-8 2. Boyce JM, Sullivan L, Booker A, Baker J. 2016. Quaternary ammonium disinfectant issues encountered in an environmental services department. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 37(3): 340-2. 3. Mehler L, Schwartz A, Diebolt-Brown B, Badakhsh R, Calvert GM, Lee SJ. 2010. Acute antimicrobial pesticide-related illnesses among workers in health-care facilities --- California, Louisiana, Michigan, and Texas, 2002--2007. MMWR 59: 551-6. 4. Omidbakhsh N. 2010. Theoretical and experimental aspects of microbicidal activities of hard surface disinfectants: are their label claims based on testing under field conditions? J AOAC Int 93(6): 1-8. 5. Sifuentes LY, Gerba CP, Weart I, Engelbrecht K, Koenig DW. 2013. Microbial contamination of hospital reusable cleaning towels. Am J Infect Control.41(10): 912-5.
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March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 17
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Current topics in disinfection and sanitation
Keeping It Clean 101: Learning the Basics of Disinfection By Mosope Nancy Kotoye DVM, RLATG
C
leaning is an everyday activity in animal facilities. Whether mopping an animal room floor or hallway, washing cages in the cage wash, or decontaminating a room or equipment, the list of what must be cleaned is extensive.
Most areas in animal research facilities should be cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected before and after use. Page 72 of the 8th edition of the Guide indicates that all components of an animal facility should be cleaned and disinfected according to the use and frequency of use of the area on a regular basis.2 The main goal of cleaning, and other activities such as sanitation and disinfection, is to control and prevent cross transmission or exposure to microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi), excrement, biological fluids, and pheromones from one research subject to another as well as to remove these substances and allergens from work environments shared with humans. Also, a clean facility is more appealing and pleasant to work in. When thinking about cleaning an animal facility, and meeting the expectations of the Guide, it is best to start with the basic definitions of commonly used terms (Table 1). Conventional methods of cleaning and disinfection are generally considered to be good enough for effective sanitation and having a basic knowledge of key terms for sanitation and disinfection can aid in selecting which process/procedure will meet the end goal. Selecting the appropriate chemical disinfectants, the most
commonly used agents to clean surfaces in research animal facilities, is a key factor in achieving effective sanitation in an animal facility. The most important factor is the spectrum of antimicrobial activity of the agent and/or method used, although other factors are important. The list below provides a summary of the most common chemical disinfectants, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Conclusion
Sanitation is an integral part of animal facility management. To achieve the desired result of preventing and controlling the spread of microorganisms in the facility, the manufacturer’s recommendation for the formulation and use of cleaning and disinfecting agents must be reviewed. No chemical should be used for a purpose it was not intended for. Occupational hazards associated with the use of sanitation methods and agents must be identified and training provided to mitigate accidents during operation and agent use. Oftentimes, vendor representatives knowledgeable about cleaning products can be a great source of information to determine the right agent for your needs. Vendors can come on-site for one-on-one consultations, or can meetings can be
Terms
Definition
Cleaning
Removing visible material, whether organic or inorganic, such as excrement, dirt, and debris from objects and surfaces
Cleaning Agents Sanitation Sanitizers
Disinfection
Disinfectants Sterilization Sterilants
Agents used in effective removal of soils from inanimate objects; this is usually achieved in conjunction with some form of physical removal Maintaining environmental conditions conducive to health involving cleaning and disinfection Agents used to reduce the number of microorganisms on inanimate surfaces
Eliminating many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects. Agents that destroys or eliminates specific infectious agents from surfaces Removal or killing of all microorganisms
Any physical or chemical agents that kills or destroys all forms of life, particularly microorganisms
Table 1. In descending order from the most microbiological activity left on a surface to the least. Adapted from the CDC Guidelines and University of Texas Health Science Center IACUC Procedures and Guidelines.3
18 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Disinfectants
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Aldehydes
Glutaraldehyde Paraformaldehyde
Chlorine Compounds; Bleach Iodophores (Iodine based compounds)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Alcohols
Pros
Cons
Wide acceptance as a high-level disinfectant and chemical sterilant
Can only be used for a few days once “activated”; care must be taken when using it on certain surfaces; toxic
Fast acting; Inexpensive; Effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms; No toxic residue
Quickly inactivated by organic matter reducing biocidal activity; Corrosive; Irritating to mucous membranes
Effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms
Not suitable for use on hard surfaces; Contact time of several minutes may be needed
Safe for the environment; Non-corrosive; Used as both a sterilant and disinfectant; Effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms
Contact time of several minutes needed
Odorless, nonirritating and deodorizing; Good cleaning agents; Useful for floors, furniture, and walls
Can be used to decontaminate large spaces and biosafety cabinets where access to the sealed portion is required
Effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms
Effective against only some types of viruses; Poor activity against Mycobacterium; Susceptible to bacterial contamination
Potentially explosive
Ineffective against spore forming bacteria; Ineffective when diluted; Ineffective when surface has debris, dirt, or organic materials; Cannot be used as a sterilant
Table 2. Common groups of chemical disinfectants.1
scheduled with vendors during the AALAS National Meeting as well as AALAS branch meetings. Mosope Nancy Kotoye, DVM, RLATG, is an Animal Health Technician with Priority One Services, in College Park, MD. REFERENCES 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2008. Introduction, methods, definition of terms. [Cited 5 February 2020]. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/ guidelines/disinfection/introduction.html 2. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research. 2011. Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals, 8th ed. Washington (DC): National Academies Press. 3. UNTHSC. 2017. Standards for sanitization of laboratory based animal care and use activities. [Cited 5 February 2020]. Available at: https://www.unthsc.edu/research/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/050-Standards-for-Sanitization-of-Animal-Use-Laboratories.pdf.
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March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 19
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Current topics in disinfection and sanitation
Tips for How to Design and Operate an Isolator Mouse Production Facility for the Exclusion of Opportunistic Pathogens By Stephanie E. Woods, DVM, MS LAM, DACLAM
Figure 1. Mouse production facility (MPF) floor plan.
T
o better support genetically modified mouse production critical for its drug pipeline, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently renovated a building to include a fully autonomous, 15,000 ft2, 104 isolator mouse production facility (Figure 1). This large-scale, barrier facility was established to address the challenges of housing and breeding mice that are free of mouse pathogens, including opportunistic agents, so that other on-site vivariums needing opportunistic pathogen-free mice can be supplied internally. Excluding all pathogens is crucial to the integrity of Regeneron’s scientific pursuits, as well as to animal health and wellbeing.
isolators (Figure 3) maintained under continuous positive pressure that can house ~5,000 cages / ~21,000 mice. Prior to occupancy, isolators are decontaminated with 2% peracetic acid. Depending on the material compatibility of an item entering an isolator, items undergo initial processing for decontamination using a maximum combination of exposures, including handwashing (quaternary ammonium chloride-isopropyl alcohol wipes), rack-washing, and sterilization through
Materials and Methods
Facility features and operations were designed and implemented to the meticulous standard of biosecurity necessary to exclude opportunistic pathogens.
Mouse Husbandry Operations and Barrier Support Equipment
The MPF is equipped with a variety of procedures and equipment to ensure the vivarium, materials entering it, and isolators are pathogen-free, if not actually sterile. The equipment includes a clean steam autoclave (Matachana Group), a rack washer (acid neutralizer/citric acid detergent) with a vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) generator unit (Tecniplast), and a uniquely engineered, built-in VHP corridor (Figure 2) for decontamination of bulk and/or large items not suitable for the rack washer. We also have a portable VHP decontamination unit (Bioquell) for complete room decontamination; individual rooms were designed for HVAC power-down and sealing. The ultimate barriers in the MPF are 104 8-ft semi-rigid 20 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Figure 2. Uniquely engineered, built-in vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) corridor.
Figure 3. Isolator room housing 104 semi-rigid isolators.
VHP or autoclaving. All processed items are then introduced into isolator portals following a spray +/- dip with chlorine dioxide (1:5:1). Caging components are maintained by handwashing (cage bottoms and wire grids), and by rack-washing and autoclaving of water bottles to supply reverse-osmosis, 2 ppm chlorinated drinking water to the mice (the watering system is sanitized semi-annually with 20 ppm chlorine). The effectiveness of sanitization is assessed using the following procedures: • Autoclaves: steam strip sterilization indicator every load and at least once a week biological indicator. • VHP Generators: chemical indicator for each load to demonstrate a 6-log kill. • Rack Washer: temperature tape for the first load every day. • Handwashing: RODAC plating.
Mouse Production Operations
Only the minimum number of females and vasectomized males required were initially introduced into the facility for use in the surgical implantation of cryopreserved embryos into surrogate females. Ongoing mouse production efforts prevent any need to introduce outside mice by relying solely on internal embryo transfer and vasectomies of males used to induce pseudopregnancy in surrogates in a specially designed operating room (Figure 4). In addition, colony management practices prevent genetic drift, and operations to package and transport mice are conducted using strict aseptic techniques.
Other critical procedures ensuring the success of our mission to exclude opportunistic pathogens in the MPF include: • Use of personal protective equipment (dedicated safety shoes and scrubs, hood, face mask, safety glasses, frock, shoe covers and double gloving with use of long-cuffed gloves), • Provision of irradiated feed, bedding and enrichment, and • Overall application of aseptic techniques. Figure 4. Specially designed operating room to support mouse production through embryo transfer and vasectomy surgeries under strict asepsis.
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 21
Frequency Testing Method
Sample Source
Sample Type
Quantity Monthly Quarterly Annually
PCR
Animal Sampling (Colony Animals and Dirty Bedding Sentinels)
Oral Swab Body Swab, including Perianal Area
Up to 10 animals per pool; 1-3 pooled samples/isolator
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
✅
Fresh Feces Environmental Sampling
Sticky Swab of Isolator Floor, Face, Bars, Walls, Exhaust Pre-Filter
Included in PCR pool with animal samples
Animal Sampling (Colony Animals and Dirty Bedding Sentinels)
Fresh Feces
Up to 10 animals per pool; 1-3 pooled samples/isolator
✅
✅
Environmental Sampling
Culturette Swab of Isolator Floor, Face, Bars, Walls, Exhaust Pre-Filter
Included in culturette pool with animal samples
✅
✅
Drinking Water
Drinking Water
1 sample/isolator
✅
✅
Serology
Animal Sampling (Dirty Bedding Sentinels)
Whole Blood
1-3 samples/isolator
✅
✅
Whole Animal (includes PCR, Aerobic Culture, Serology, Traditional Parasitology, Necropsy)
Animal Sampling (Dirty Bedding Sentinels)
Whole Animal
1-3 animals/isolator
Aerobic Culture
✅
Table 1. Primary power fuel cell technology. The SOFC stack is initially electrically heated. Natural Gas (CH4) is introduced on the anode side of the fuel cell stack. Oxygen is introduced on the cathode side and two O2 molecules combine with the Methane (CH4). The Oxygen and Methane under the high temperature create an electrochemical reaction that results in ion release and new molecule creation (H2O and CO2). The Electrolyte allows for ion exchange from anode to cathode. The electrons are intercepted and routed to an inverter that changes DC power to AC power for the building. The water turns to steam due to the high temps and superheats the stack enabling further electrochemical reaction.
Animal Health and Environmental Surveillance
A comprehensive animal health and environmental surveillance program confirms our required microbial status (Table 1).
Specialty Features: Electrochromic Window Glass and Primary Power Fuel Cell Technology
Specialty features unique to our MPF enhance operations and improve risk mitigation. Electrochromic window glass (View, Inc.) has positively impacted staff morale. This technology allows more daylight to come into the building while reducing glare and also prevents others from seeing inside the vivarium from outside of the building. Our primary power fuel cell technology (Figure 5) supplies dependable clean energy with
a smaller carbon footprint to sustain the building functions; standard power sources serve as back-ups.
Conclusion
A cross-functional team of vivarium operations, veterinary services, animal production, embryology, environment, health and safety, facilities, and security personnel manage all known risks to our mission. The features and operations of our new MPF successfully enable dependable, in-house sourcing of the opportunistic pathogen-free mice necessary for our institution’s business-critical research and development. Regeneron’s newest MPF is inspected by the IACUC on a semiannual basis. All animal use is covered by IACUC-approved protocols, and all operations are compliant with IACUC-approved policies, guidelines, and SOPs. Special thank you to Robert Abellas LATG and Rolando Veras, LATG, for presenting this content as a poster at the AALAS National Meeting (2019). Special thank you also to Ruben Escano CMAR LATG and Yeriel Hiciano LATG for presenting this content at Metropolitan New York Branch of AALAS (MNYBAALAS) Tech Night (2019). Thank you to Ellen Levee, William Poueymirou and Brian Zambrowicz for your continued support.
Figure 5. Animal health and environmental surveillance program.
22 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Stephanie E. Woods, DVM, MS LAM, DACLAM, is a Veterinarian and Senior Manager of Veterinary Services & Vivarium Operations in VelociGene® at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Tarrytown, NY.
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March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 23
KEEPING IT CLEAN
Current topics in disinfection and sanitation
Stepping Up Sanitation in the Animal Facility: Use of Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide for Room Decontamination By Jennifer L Booth, DVM, MS, DACLAM; Penny Devlin, MLAS, BS, AS, RLATG; Jenelle M Izer, DVM, MS, DACLAM; and Heidi Piper, LAT
T
he Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) sets expectations for cleaning and disinfection of the macroenvironment in laboratory animal facilities. It states that animal rooms and support spaces should be regularly cleaned and disinfected but does not prescribe a specified method or schedule.4 This language allows each institution to determine the frequency at which spaces are cleaned and disinfected. In our own experience, the cleaning and disinfection methods often need to be customized based upon the use of each space. Both the Guide and the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories publication4,1 mention the use of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or chlorine dioxide for room decontamination when there is potential contamination of the space with infectious agents. Here we describe why we believed we could benefit from a vaporized disinfection system, considerations that helped us choose a system that was right for us, general considerations to be mindful of before operating the system, and lessons learned.
Unique Features: Where Manual Disinfection May Not Be Enough
Manual disinfection, defined as spraying a chemical disinfectant onto surfaces and wiping it away, can be inefficient for numerous reasons. Some design challenges in our facility that make manual disinfection difficult include rooms with high, open ceilings and exposed piping. When attempting to decontaminate spaces that were used to conduct biohazardous animal work or in the event of a response to a pathogen outbreak, these design challenges are less than ideal to assure complete room decontamination. Rooms that house specialized equipment that may be damaged by directly spraying them with chemicals may also present as a challenge. By using a vaporized disinfectant for room decontamination, we aimed to maximize our sanitation efforts in these spaces.
mately choose. Other factors included safety for personnel and equipment, ease of use, maintenance, warranty, and cost. Formaldehyde, chlorine dioxide, and H2O2 are all considered to be sterilants or high-level disinfectants, which is dependent upon the concentration. This means that they should be effective against all bacterial, viral, and fungal agents, including highly resistant agents such as bacterial spores and parasites. 1,2,3,5 While we believed that formaldehyde and chlorine dioxide would be effective for killing the pathogens of concerns for our animal facilities, we had some safety concerns for animals, personnel, and equipment. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and requires a 12-24 hour contact-time for decontamination. Hydrogen peroxide vaporizers or hydrogen peroxide dry mist foggers require substantially less time. For example, the HaloFogger LS™ by Quip Laboratories only requires up to 25 minutes to reach the expected disinfection level. The use of formaldehyde also requires a neutralization process which results in a residue that must be removed with manual cleaning. chlorine dioxide and H2O2 are both residue-free, non-carcinogenic, can be used as a sterilant, and are effective against zoonotic and highly contagious pathogens that are of concern in many laboratory animal facilities. However, the corrosive potential of chlorine
Options for Vaporized Room Decontamination
Several disinfectants may be vaporized into a room to conduct room decontamination, including formaldehyde, chlorine dioxide, and H2O2. Effectiveness of the disinfectant was only one of many factors that were considered when determining what type of vaporized disinfection system we would ulti24 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Figure 1. Standard square exhaust vert.
used to assess sterility, as a minimum level of organisms must be present for the device to detect a reading.6 In other words, a zero reading does not indicate that the surface is completely void of all organisms. To have a better understanding of the number of organisms present, culture methods, such as the RODAC™ test plate, is recommended. Test results are not as immediate as the luminometer due to the requirement for the plates to incubate for 3-5 days. To get the most meaningful results from luminometer use, users should develop reference ranges for each tested surface and compare luminometer results to concurrently used culture plates.
Gained Experience and Lessons Learned
Figure 2. Nonstandard supply diffuser.
dioxide is concerning since our goal was to use this equipment in rooms that house surgical and procedural equipment. We narrowed our scope to dry mist H2O2 (vHP) foggers. A fogger is an automated piece of equipment that disseminates the chemical disinfectant into the room, allowing full surface disinfection of the space. The major benefit of this equipment is that aerosolized droplets can penetrate every nook and crevice of a room, reaching surfaces that regular manual cleaning and disinfection cannot.
Things to Consider before Operating the vHP System
Before operating the vHP system, considerations included how we would train personnel and the methods to assess the effectiveness of the disinfection process. When new equipment is purchased, many companies will come on-site for a training session. It is important to decide who will participate in this training. Will it include all personnel or just a few key people? How will training be provided to others after the initial training session? Development of an SOP document can be a valuable reference and resource for future internal training sessions. A well-written SOP should provide detailed and complete step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow and guides the reader through the disinfection process. The document should list all needed materials, maintenance procedures, troubleshooting instructions, and customer service contact information if repairs are necessary. It is impossible to tell whether something has been effectively disinfected without verification and validation of the process. One option for monitoring effectiveness includes the use of a luminometer, which measures adenosine triphosphate, also known as ATP. All living microorganisms produce ATP and this device provides rapid results, in as little as 15 seconds. It is important to understand that luminometers cannot be
As with any new sanitation program, some challenges are expected to be encountered. We worked through several challenges as we started sanitizing our animal, surgical, and procedural rooms with the HaloFogger LS™ by Quip Laboratories. The first challenge we encountered was ensuring that airflow and ventilation of the room to be disinfected were yielded. All room ventilation must be sealed or stopped to prevent disruption of the dispersion of the disinfectant inside of the room. This includes direct ducted biosafety cabinets and chemical fume hoods, which are directly connected to the building exhaust system. For a few of our rooms, we can turn off the HVAC unit. However, most of our rooms do not have isolation valves; therefore, we had to find ways to cover the room vents. In rooms where we have square vents (Figure 1), using the available covers worked well. We have several different sizes and styles of vents (Figure 2), therefore finding alternate ways to cover them required creativity. Covering the vents with tape is the best alternative solution, however, finding the right tape was challenging. We needed something strong enough to stay on for 24 hours with air blowing. We found masking tape to be the best solution for covering vents in our rooms, being careful to only apply tape across the vent, to not pull paint off the walls or ceilings. Other challenges we faced were how to safely set up the room, start the unit, and seal the door. We have a few rooms with unique shapes and conjoining rooms. To aid in the circulation of the vHP into those areas, we used a fan. We have used bags and towels to cover uneven doors and vents. All doors accessing the room are completely sealed with tape, except for one door, which will be used to exit the room before the unit begins to generate the dry mist. For sealing the door, we decided that painter’s tape was a good option. The tape was strong enough to seal the door for the 24 hours, yet gentle enough to prevent peeling of the paint from our doors and door frames upon removal (Figure 3). Once the unit is started, the HaloFogger LS™ has a builtin delay of about 90 seconds, allowing the operator time to leave the room and seal the door safely. This has posed some challenges for us, depending on the size of the room and placement of the fogger in the room. For example, our critical care room is 18 ft × 34 ft. For best placement of the unit, in the center of the room, it is about 12 feet from the exit door. We need to run to the door, close the door, fully seal the door which for us includes, stuffing a towel under to seal the gap March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 25
examination of room usage is required to determine the best unit for the facility. Improvements to this process could include engaging with the HVAC team early on when planning to use the unit to determine which rooms have control valves and which rooms need vents covered. Another suggestion is to work with the vendor to determine other options for covering HVAC vents. While on site, have your vendor go through each room to set up a plan for best placement of the unit and how safely to get out of the room and seal the door. Map out your intended usage to determine up from if the amount and size unit is best for your facility needs. Performing room disinfection with hydrogen peroxide has equipped us with the capability of providing an additional layer of protection for our animals against potential contaminants, allowing us to better support valuable research that is reliant upon the use of healthy animals. As we have identified, the use of this system has some potential pitfalls. However, with adequate planning and training, some of these challenges can be mitigated. Jennifer L. Booth, DVM, MS, DACLAM, is an Assistant Professor for Comparative Medicine at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. Figure 3. Room taped shut for fogging.
between the door and floor and then tape around a 42 in × 7.5 ft door. This process takes longer than the programed 90 seconds. Another important realization concerning the placement of the HaloFogger LS™ in the room was that if the fogger is too close to objects or doesn’t circulate well, the fogging mist can cause discoloration on some painted and metal surfaces. The turnaround time can cause challenges when scheduling room disinfection. We started by using our fogger for our surgical and critical care spaces. As we expanded the use of our fogger to procedural and standard animal rooms, we found that the processing time, measured from the start of room preparations to the completion of the disinfection and wait time, created a bottleneck for us. Necessary preparations of the room include cleaning of the room to remove obvious debris, cessation of room ventilation, and sealing of doors, as described above. Once the fogging device has completed dispersion of the hydrogen peroxide, there is a necessary wait time before re-entry to allow vapor levels to dissipate to levels that are no longer hazardous, a process that can take several hours. To increase safety and maximize disinfection, it is recommended to delay re-entry until the following day. The use of the equipment in our decentralized space also added another layer of challenges, contributing to added time, as the unit had to be moved between buildings. At this time, we are fogging about 2 rooms a week. For example, on Monday we fog room A and on Tuesday we remove the fogger and take to another room/building. On Wednesday we fog room B and then on Thursday take it to another room/building. As we continue to expand our use, we may consider adding another unit. Careful 26 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Penny Devlin, MLAS, BS, AS, RLATG, is the Program Manager for Comparative Medicine at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. Jenelle M. Izer, DVM, MS, DACLAM, is an Associate Professor for Comparative Medicine at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. Heidi Piper, LAT, is an Animal Care Taker for Comparative Medicine at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA.
REFERENCES 1. Chasewood LC, Wilson DE, editors. 2009. Biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories, 5th ed. Washington (DC): U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health. 2. Czarra J A, Adams J K, Carter C L, Hill WA, Coan PN. 2014. Exposure to chlorine dioxide gas for 4 hours renders Syphacia ova nonviable. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 53(4): 364–367. 3. Dix J, Astill J, Whelan G. 2004. Assessment of methods of destruction of Syphacia muris eggs. Lab Anim 38(1):11-6. 4. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research. 2011. Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals, 8th ed. Washington (DC): National Academies Press. 5. Krause J, Riedesel H. 2004. Elimination of pinworm eggs from caging equipment with vaporized hydrogen peroxide. Gottingen (Germany): Max-Plank Institute for Experimental Medicine. 6. Omidbakhsh N, Ahmadpour F, Kenny N. 2014. How reliable are ATP bioluminescence meters in assessing decontamination of environmental surfaces in healthcare settings?. Plos One 9(6):e99951.
G L E NI M TY E C CHA OMM E AA LAS C S CO MUNI CHAN EXCHANG TY EX UNITY TY EX AALA E AALAS C LAS COM MUNI HANG ANGE AA ITY EX OMM UNI Y C M N E T MUNI M I X U O G E M N M M C N A U H O Y O G M C HAN ALAS AS C GE A XCHA Y EXC L S CO LAS COMM OMMUNIT S C E C A N T I ALAS A A A X A Y L L N E E A T H I A A U GE EXC MM ANG NITY AA E A E A MUN N AS C U H O Y G G L M A T E C M I C N N A H O X G N A M A A E S E C C N H O A E LA S EX MU CH ITY ANG EXCH AALA E AALAS C LAS COM HANG ANGE AA ITY EX UNITY EXCH MMUN A UNITY UNITY EXC H G ANGE AA S CO LAS COMM S COMMUN MMUNITY EXCH C N H A X Y A E L E C T H I A G X Y N E M C A N T I O A A U X M A Y L N E N C E A T M H I O A U U Y G S C IT UN OM GE LA EXC MM AN MM E A OMM MMUN MMUNITY E AA LAS C S CO S CO EXCH CHAN EXCHANG AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO AALA E AALAS HANG ANGE AA ITY EX O UNITY Y C N C E T M I X U G S E M N M N A G A E ITY CO NG AL OM XCH MMU EXCH CHAN EXCHANG ALAS GE A XCHA MMUN ANGE LAS C S CO NITY E UNITY GE A CHAN NITY E NITY EXCH AALA AALAS CO S COMMU E AA TY M N I X U G E A N M E CH M N U H Y O G A M T M I O XC S C MU CH TY EX HAN ALA GE MMUN MUNITY E AALA E AALAS C LAS COM MUNI ITY EX U Y EXC Y EXCHAN GE A M N E T M N I U O G S CO M A N M M C N A U H O O G T OM MM S C HAN ALAS AS C GE A XCHA Y EXC L E MUNI C A N T I A A X M A Y L N E AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO E A T H I O A U NG ITY UN GE S C EXC MM E A NG OMM XCHA GE MMUN MMUNITY AALA S CO CHAN EXCHANG G XCHA NITY E CHAN CHANGE AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO TY EX I O U X Y CHAN E N C E T M I X U Y G S E M N T HAN XC GE NITY ANG AALA S CO LAS COMM S COMMU TY EX E C MUNI I N U H A X N Y A E L E M C T U H I A G X M Y MM AN LA NIT EXC CO E A AA TY E MUN EXCH E AA COM ALAS AS CO S COMMU COMMUNI UNITY HANG CHANGE OMM HANG HANGE A ALAS OMM OMMUNITY UNITY EXC X LA LAS C AL S E C A C A A A X Y L S E A E A T I A A Y G L C N C E A E T A M N I X A U G S E M A N A E E M N A U H ITY OM XC GE ANG MM AAL S CO ANG CHA MMUN MUNITY E EXCH CHAN CHANGE AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO TY EX NITY EXCH HAN I O X C E N C E X U Y G S E M T M I O G LA EX AN M E ITY MU X MMUN MMUNITY E AA LAS C S CO EXCH CHAN EXCHANG COM MMUN MUNITY E AALA HANG ANGE AA ITY EX O UNITY ALAS Y S CO C M N E T A I A X U O G L E N M E M C N A U H Y O LAS C AS COMM A IT XC MM LAS S C ANG CHA COM AL MMUN ANGE S CO NITY E E AA AALA E AA TY EX NITY EXCH ALAS GE A EXCH AALA AALAS CO S COMMU MUNI HANG CHANGE U Y GE A G M T E C I N N M O X G N A A M E C N U H H XC MM A NITY S CO CHA AALA E AALAS NGE TY EX Y EXC NITY E NITY EXCH AALA ITY EX ITY EXCHA CHANGE AS CO S COMMU COMMUNI U G L E N M N A U G A M A N M U H A O X A N Y E L S E M C T C H U I A A OM G X M Y L S C N E M A AN LA CO AA MU ITY UNIT Y EX COM EXCH ANGE E AA COM NGE ALAS OMM O MMUN OMMUNIT ALAS EXCH UNITY HANG HANGE A ALAS XCHA Y LAS C LAS C S CO E M C C A T I A A A X M S Y L N E A E A T A I O A U L Y G C N C A A E T M A N I X U G S E A M A N E E M NGE N A H U G E ITY OM XC MM ANG AAL S CO CHA CHAN EXCHANG MMUN MUNITY E EXCH EXCH AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO NGE TY EX I O A Y N C E TY EX T H I U Y G S C M N T I M U O LA M TY TY EX MUN CHAN EXCHANG CHANGE OMM E AA LAS C S CO MUNI TY COM COMMUNI TY EX AALA E AALAS C LAS COM MUNI HANG ANGE AA ITY Y EX C M N E T MUNI I X U O G S E M N M C N A A H U O Y O G L M A A S T C M I C C N H A O X N M A AA E L S S E C C U H A A A O G X Y EXC AAL E A AAL HAN ITY E OMM ALAS AS C UNIT Y G L C N C E A E T M N I X A U G G S E M A N A E E M N N A H U O A ITY NG NG OM XC GE MM AAL S C CHA XCHA XCHA MMUN MUNITY E CHAN AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO NGE TY EX S CO M NITY E NITY E NITY EXC MUNI ITY EX ITY EXCHA CHANGE A U O G L N M E M C N A U O G A M A S M O X AN E LA S C MU CH COM MMUN MUNITY E EXCH AALA E AALAS C LAS COM TY EX MUNI HANG ANGE AA S CO MUNI COM NGE A H UNITY UNITY EXC OM G M A A S C M C N H A O X M AALA A E L S S C E C C H A A O G X Y L S M EXC E A AALA E TY E HAN UNIT E AA AALA E AALAS C LAS COM MUNI HANG CHANGE UNITY UNITY EXC OMM G M C M C A N HANG CHANGE O X G M A A S E C N H A XC MM LAS S CO NITY EX CHA AAL NGE TY EX NITY E NITY EXC AALA AALAS CO S COMMU E AA MUNI ITY EX ITY EXCHA CHANGE UNITY U G N M E M N U O G A M M C O M AN E LA S EX MU CH UN S CO EXCH AALA E AALAS C LAS COM TY EX MUN HANG ANGE AA OMM UNITY MUNI COM NGE A H UNITY UNITY EXC LAS C AS COMM G M A A S C M A N H A O X M A A E L S E C C H A O G X Y E AL MM LAS S C NIT EXC E A AALA TY E HAN GE A AALA AALAS CO S COMMU E AA MUNI HANG CHANGE UNITY UNITY EXC G M C M N O X M A E CHAN EXCHANG CHANGE C H A O XC MM LAS S C NITY AAL NGE TY EX TY NITY E NITY E AALA AALAS CO S COMMU E AA MUNI ITY EX ITY EXCHA CHANGE U G N M E MUNI M N U O G A M M C O M AN E LA S EX MU CH UN EXCH AALA E AALAS C LAS COM TY EX MU HANG ANGE AA AS CO AS COMM UNITY MUNI COM NGE A H UNITY UNITY EXC OMM G M A A S C M C AL N H A O X M A A E L S E C C H A A O G X Y E L LA S E M C A N T C I A A A G X M A Y L S N E A E A T H I O A A U Y G AAL MUN NGE NGE HAN UNIT Y EXC GE A LAS C AS COMM M A T E C M I N A N H O X G N A M A A E C C N U H H O XCHA X C XC MM LAS S C NITY CHA AAL NGE TY E TY EX NITY E NITY AALA AALAS CO S COMMU E AA MUNI ITY EX ITY EXCHA CHANGE U G N M E MUNI M N U O G A M M C N O LA S MU CH HA GE MUN TY EX COM E AA AALA E AALAS C LAS COM ITY EX Y EXC Y EXCHAN MM COM MUNI ALAS HANG CHANGE G MMUN OMMUNIT AA S CO L T C I COM ALAS N A O X N A A E L S E C U H A A G X Y E L S E M C A N T C I A A A X M A Y L S N E A E A NG T H I O A A U Y G GE S C EXC MM AAL E A MUN HAN UNIT ANGE AALA CHAN EXCHA HANG CHANGE AS CO ALAS COM AS COMM OMMUNITY UNITY EXC X E L EXCH E C A G X Y E A N T I ITY ITY UN Y EX GE S C CHA MM AAL E A OMM MMUN OMMUNIT MMUN MMUNIT AALA S CO TY EX CHAN EXCHANG CHANGE MUNI AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO NGE TY EX C O I X M A Y S C N E E T H I O A U S Y G L C N C T S AA E ALA COM NG HAN UNI OMM Y EX MMU AALA HANG HANGE A ALAS XCHA Y EXC LAS C S CO LAS COMM OMMUNIT E C A T I A A A X Y L N E A E T I A U ANGE Y G C E A EX GE A S C MM AN AA MUN UNIT HANG CHANGE AALA UNITY NITY EXCH TY EXCHAN EXCH NGE AS CO ALAS COM AS COMM A E L M H A G X M Y EXC E C A N O I U X ITY UN S C GE CHA MM AAL E A TY E UNITY OMM AALA MMUN MMUNI S CO TY EX CHAN EXCHANG CHANGE MUNI OMM NGE MUNI AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO TY EX COM I O X A M Y S N E C E H T I O A U Y G S C L N C T O G LA AA E UNI OMM LAS TY EX Y EXCHAN MMU E AA LAS C CHAN EXCHANG OMM E AA LAS C MUNI S CO A HANG ANGE AA ITY EX UNIT Y C N AALA E AALAS C LAS COM E T M HANG ANGE AA I X U G E M N E M N H U O Y G EXC CH COM NG HAN AS C OMM OMMUNIT XCHA E AA Y A L S E C C T C H I G A A X X Y L S N N E E C A TY EX T I A A U X A A TY ITY AL UN GE S C CH MM TY E MUNI OMM GE A TY EX Y EXCHAN MMUN MMUN ANGE AALA S CO MUNI COM MUNI EXCH CHAN CHANGE AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO T COM I O X M Y S N E C E T O I A U Y G S L C N T M LA UNI MMU TY EX E AA CHAN EXCHANG CHANGE ALAS COM E AA LAS C OMM S CO MUNI TY EX GE A ALAS HANG ANGE AA ITY Y EX C N AALA E AALAS C LAS COM T MUNI I X U GE CHAN HANGE A E M N E M H U O Y G OM MM AA S C EXC CHAN EX UNIT XC CHAN EXCHANG AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO ITY EX OMM UNITY ANGE Y NITY E N C E T TY EX M H I I U Y G S C M N N T M N I A X U U M CO NG OM GE MM AAL TY E CHA MUN COM ALAS XCHA MMU LAS C S CO MUNI CHAN CHANGE TY EX COM GE A NITY E COM AALA AALAS CO S C E AA TY EX MUNI N I X ALAS U G S E A M N A E M N A H U O Y G L A M T E C O G AN MM AA E LA S C EX CH UNI EXCH AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO NGE TY EX HANG ANGE AA OMM UNITY MUNI NG XCHA CHANGE H UNITY UNITY EXC G LAS C AS COMM A M E C M N A H O X G M A A E C C N H O X X E C AAL ITY E OMM ALAS AS C UNITY XCHA XCHANGE L N E C A E TY E TY EX M I I A UNITY U Y G S M N N A E T M N I A U U UN Y E MM ANG AAL MM S CO LAS COM CHA NGE H A O X A E L E C C H A G X MM Y S S CO LAS COMM OMMUNIT E C A N T ITY Y EX GE CHA C AALA AALAS CO S E AA MUNI AA MMUN OMMUNIT TY EX CHAN EXCHANG CHANGE I COM ALAS A O X N A E L S E C NGE U A A G Y E L S M M S C NIT EX AA E A TY HAN ALA ANG AALA AALAS CO S COMMU MUNI HANG CHANG UNITY UNITY EXC GE A EXCH ANGE M E C M N H O X G M A E C C N H A O X X C HA AL GE MM LAS S C NITY TY E TY E ITY EX Y EXC Y EXCHAN GE A AALA AALAS CO S COMMU E AA MUNI MUNI UNITY MMUN OMMUNIT CHAN EXCHANG CHANGE IT COM A OMM OM O X N E L S E C C U A A G Y L S S M A N T C I A A A X A M Y L S N E C A E T H I O A A U Y G S L C N C A E T M AA E ALA HAN UNI OM Y EX LAS ANG MMU HANG HANGE A ALA Y EXC ANGE ANGE AA LAS C S CO LAS COMM OMMUNIT EXCH C A T I A A X Y L N E A E T I A U Y G C N H AA MU HAN UNIT Y EX GE A LAS C AS COMM ANGE AN M T E C M I N A H H O Y EXC X G N M A A E C C C N U H O X X Y C AAL TY E ITY E OMM ALAS AS C UNIT XCHA XCHANGE L N E C A E TY EX M IT I A U Y G S M N N A E T MUNI M N I A U U O M OM GE MM ANG AAL S C TY E CHA MUN COM EXCH MUNI CHAN CHANGE AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO COM ITY EX O X M Y S N E C E T I O ALAS A U Y G S L N C T M N NG UNI OM GE AALA MMU TY EX E AA CHA ALAS OMM XCHA LAS C S CO MUNI CHAN CHANGE AAL TY EX HANG HANGE A NITY E AALA E AALAS C LAS COM E AA TY EX MUNI NGE I X U G E C A M N E M N X H U O Y G E A M T C M I C N A H HA O X G N M A A S TY E C C C N U H A O X X Y AAL ITY E OMM ITY E ALAS AS C UNIT XCHA XCHANGE Y EXC L N E N C A E T M I A U U Y G S M N A E T M M N I A U U O M UN OM GE ANG AAL MM MM N S C TY E CHA OMM S CO EXCH MUNI CHAN CHANGE AALA E AALAS C AALAS CO ITY EX X Y N E E T I U Y G S C N AALA E AALAS C LAS COM T M N I GE MMU ANG AALA TY EX CHA MUN COM G AA MUNI EXCH CHAN CHANGE AA TY EX I ALAS AS CO ALAS COM X M Y L N E CHAN CHANGE A E T O I A U Y G N C A E MU NG X UNIT HAN OMM Y EX GE M E A T C M C I ALAS O X G N A A M S E C N U H A O NITY E ITY EXCHA Y EXCHAN Y A E MM S C EXC NIT CH AAL NG ALAS T UN AALA AALAS CO S COMMU ITY EX ITY EXCHA CHANGE UNITY MUNIT GE A N E M MUNI N U OMM G M M A M N H O A O X C HA AL OM GE OM S C S C MUN TY E ITY EX Y EXC Y EXCHAN GE A LAS C ALAS C AALA AALA E AALAS C LAS COM MUNI MMUN OMMUNIT T CHAN CHANGE E AA COM I A A O X G G N A S E C N U N A E Y A E L S A M T EX AA E A NG CH ANG OM ALA AS C XCH UNI
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FEATURE
A Historical Perspective
Past, Present, Future: From the Animal Care Panel to Today Dr. Robert P. Litt reflects on the beginnings of AALAS.
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n 1946 five Chicago-area veterinarians met over coffee to discuss laboratory animal care problems. Present at those meetings was Dr. Robert P. Litt. Eventually, from those discussions, the Animal Care Panel was created in 1950, the foundational group for today’s AALAS.
This past December, AALAS Executive Director, Ann Turner, received a phone call from Susan Swan, Dr. Litt’s daughter. Dr. Litt, now aged 97, was sharing with her information about his early career, the lab animal care colleagues he knew, and the origins of AALAS. Susan agreed to ask her father some questions on behalf of the LAS Pro Editorial Advisory Board and to share his thoughts and comments on the past, present, and future of lab animal science. “Dad will turn 98 in June. He was thrilled to hear how far this wonderful organization has come from those 1946 beginnings,” Swan said. She added that Dr. Litt still reads his veterinary journals every day. While he no longer practices veterinary medicine, he is an avid reader and will offer advice when asked. “He has a sixth sense for diagnostics, still,” Swan added. Dr. Litt graduated from Kansas State University in 1946 and began doing research at the University of Illinois. He worked with Nate Brewer during 1946-48. Swan noted that her parents met at the university. Her mother was a surgical tech working with one of the surgeons who developed the heart-lung machine. She is unsure of any connection between her father’s research and her mother’s role as a surgical tech. Dr. Litt went on to open a private practice in 1948 on the south side of Chicago and remained there until 1977 when he opened a practice in Boca Raton, Florida. He continued with his career until 2009 when his wife became ill, but still helped by doing vaccinations part time until 2010. After explaining this unique opportunity to the magazine’s editorial advisory board members, the board was eager to learn more about Dr. Litt. Swan interviewed her father on behalf of LAS Pro. “Dad and I talked for hours. At times he got teary re28 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
membering his times in the lab and what he might have done differently. I told him that because of him and the other fine, dedicated veterinarians, scientists, and physicians that it is a much better world for the animal friends he cares so deeply about,” Swan said. LAS Pro: What were your original thoughts as to the future of the ACP and how did AALAS surpass those expectations? Dr. Litt: I thought it would just be a small local group helping those animals in our area. Nate Brewer and I, all of us, felt something should be done to set standards, to provide for the animals’ wellbeing. Never did I imagine that it would have grown to the status that it is now. I find myself very proud to have been a part of it. It was something I felt strongly that needed to be done. As veterinarians we are supposed to be there for the animals. All animals. LAS Pro: What has been the greatest advancement, or two, that you have seen as a result of animal research? Dr. Litt: I think the advancements that meant the most to me were the perfection of surgical techniques and the treatment of diabetes. And one more, the recognition that animals feel pain as we do and the standards of pain management that exist today. Those are the ones that come to mind first, but there have been so many others. I also think it's important to remember that all of these advancements came at a price. The lab animals paid it. LAS Pro: What activities do you think AALAS, or lab animal science in general, should participate in or start?
Dr. Litt: Education. Education. Education. The professionals, the public, and the companies involved in the testing of laboratory animals must be aware that while animal laboratory testing is necessary and has changed the lives of both humans and animals, it must be not be done frivolously. The standards have been set and improved on. Follow them. LAS Pro: What advice do you have for a new lab animal veterinarian? Dr. Litt: Have compassion. Never lose track of the fact that these are living animals that feel pain and sentiment. One of my biggest regrets is that the recognition of this took so long. 1946 to be exact. That is why we started the Animal Care Panel. LAS Pro: What did you like the most about your career? Dr. Litt: My career took me into private small animal practice. The sense of accomplishment in improving the health and wellbeing of our animal friends and the empathy I was able to provide gave back to me every day. I have never lost track of that and miss being in an active practice every day. I still get my hands in and give advice out freely! LAS Pro: What is your favorite species?
LAS Pro: What problems did lab animal professional face 50 years ago that is not much of an issue now? What do we take for granted now? Dr. Litt: 50 years? You mean 75! There was a general failure to remember that these were animals and not subjects. There were no standards of care or hygiene for the animals. The advancement of protocols in the correct treatment of these animals has been amazing and will change the course of what could have been their history. LAS Pro: If you had one nugget of wisdom or piece of advice to pass on to the leadership of today's AALAS and AAALAC, what would it be?" Dr. Litt: Have compassion. Care. Remember why the Animal Care Panel, AALAS, and AAALAC were born, what you are all about. The future will hold many changes in medicine because of these animals. Let it not go without the knowledge that they gave up something as well. LAS Pro: What predictions do you have for the future of human medicine or veterinary medicine? Dr. Litt: Oh boy! It has come so far. Farther than I ever could have imagined. Who knows what the future holds?
Dr. Litt: Canine, without a doubt. March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 29
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AALAS Serves
AALAS in the community
Heads, Hearts, Hands, Health AALAS member Lori Mattox serves up opportunities to grow and learn through 4-H. By Liz Rozanski, BA
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hen the opportunity arose to start a new 4-H Club, Lori Mattox knew it was something she felt drawn to do. Mattox, a supervisor in lab animal health tech/surgery at The Ohio State University, has a daughter who was already a member of a large local club. The club was growing every enrollment period, and Mattox felt a smaller group would be of benefit to her daughter and others interested in joining. As a former 4-H participant, Mattox explained that the club is a network of youth organizations whose stated mission is, “Engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development.” During Mattox’s youth, she showed rabbits. Still, while many people associate 4-H with agriculture and livestock, it can also include projects related to science and engineering, clothing and textile, food and nutrition, money management, and leadership and citizenship. “If there is something you are interested in, more than likely, 4-H will have a project related to it!” Mattox said.
Blue Ribbon Connection
The club Mattox started, Blue Ribbon Connection, is now in its third year. With an average of 20 members, she initially relied on word of mouth to publicize the club. National and county 4-H can also assist in guiding you to a listing of available clubs and contact info. “We meet once a month for approximately 1-1.5 hours for our official club meetings. All meetings are run by parliamentary procedure. If you’re not familiar with it, it can take a bit to get the hang of ! The meetings are truly led by the members, giving them active roles in leadership,” Mattox explained. Members are encouraged to do a small project presentation at a club meeting. The presentations provide public speaking experience and experience in presenting their project for future evaluations at fairs. “We participate in the Franklin County Fair. Our members take their projects for evaluation, whether it is animal-related or not. Some projects are state fair eligible, which means a high scored project can be chosen to represent the county at the state fair,” Mattox added.
Emphasis on Community Service
Coming from lab animal science, Mattox invited veterinarians she’s worked with to be club advisors. She said that they help to oversee the meetings and assist the members with their project goals. “We also have a veterinary resident give a short presentation at one of our monthly meetings, covering species-specific health issues. This year we will have a presentation on goats,” Mattox said. Also, the club is very active in the community and participates in activities, such as park cleanups and food drives. “We collected change at our meetings for a program we started called “Pennies for Police.” At the end of the year, we donated this change to the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Foundation to help support families of fallen officers. Last year we were able to raise and donate $153.86,” Mattox said. Through a 4-H council event called “Walk and Serve,” Mattox’s club adopted a local non-profit to help through a service project. For the event, they adopted Project Linus and were able to donate 13 blankets to children in need.
Who Can Join?
Mattox explained that Ohio 4-H membership is based on a child’s age and grade as of January 1 of the current calendar
Members participate in barrel painting for the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
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Blue Ribbon Connection members, Matthew Hursey (left) and Hayden Patrick (right), present their Silkie chickens for evaluation.
year. Eligibility for Cloverbud, the non-competitive group programming opportunity, begins when a child is 5 and enrolled in kindergarten. Eligibility for participation in 4-H projects and competitive events begins when a child is 8 and in third grade. Any youth 9 or above is eligible for project membership, regardless of grade level. A youth’s 4-H eligibility ends December 31 the year he or she turns 19. The goal of the club is to assist members in ultimately achieving the 4 Hs. “The 4-H pledge is: “I pledge my HEAD to clearer thinking, my HEART to greater loyalty, my HANDS to larger service, and my HEALTH to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world,” Mattox said.
The Value of 4-H
Mattox shared that 4-H strives to assist members in clear decision making, organization, and planning along with building firm personal values, communication skills (not only speaking
Members, Taylor Clingman (left) and Jordan Mattox (right), present their awards for their breed rabbit evaluations.
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but active listening), and teamwork. “Along with these attributes, we add community service, ethics and loyalty, and an effort at a healthy lifestyle,” Mattox said. “Although our club is only going into its third year, we have seen so much growth in our members! They started as a group that mostly didn’t know each other in the beginning, but now willingly give opinions and feedback to one other,” she added. She explained that some participants started completely opposed to the idea of public speaking, and they now hold offices within the club and speak at every meeting. Most of these students willingly give demonstrations to the club, but some still need a little encouragement. “Their growth amazes us as their advisors and to watch them present their projects and earn the recognition that they deserve, makes the commitment on our end worthwhile!” Mattox said. Liz Rozanski, BA, is the Communications Manager at AALAS in Memphis, TN.
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OUT REACH
AALAS in the community
Students from Heritage High School listen to instructions before preparing blood smear slides.
AREA Program Funding in Action The journey to developing a large outreach program with Future Farmers of America in North Carolina. By Courtney P. Nesline, BS, RLATG, CMAR
T
he Research Triangle Branch (RTB) of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science hosted an outreach effort with a group of 80 Future Farmers of America (FFA) students and their advisors from 11 North Carolina high schools and one middle school on December 11, 2019. The event was held at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU-CVM). RTB previously hosted an event like this in 2018 at NCSU-CVM with a small group from Heritage High School in Wake Forest, NC. After the success of the previous event, branch members started planning to make everything bigger and better.
Expansion Help-AREA Program Funding
RTB applied for and received the Pfizer Branch AREA Program funding over the summer to help expand this event. Eligible branches can apply for up to $500 per year, per entity. The fund is another resource that assists branch members in 34 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Two students collecting blood to begin preparing their blood smear slide.
Emily Weston (right), Training and Care Assurance Manager from UNC Chapel Hill, guided students in practicing sutures on their “banana” patients.
conducting public outreach programs in their communities. When branch leaders learned about the fund, they knew that it would be an excellent opportunity to help offset costs. To learn more about this funding, visit https://www.aalasfoundation.org/get-involved/AREA-Program or email foundation@ aalas.org.
Morning Kick-Off
Lunch and Learn
After the morning items concluded, the larger group convened for 4 NC State researchers to discuss their specific areas of interest in laboratory animal science. These presentations focused on their current projects and the broader importance of this type of research with animals. A recurring theme of these talks involved One Health medicine for both humans and animals.
RTB coordinated with branch members from NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke to plan a full day of tours, hands-on activities, and conference-style lunch and learn lectures for the group. The morning started by covering some ground rules, a brief review of AALAS’ history, laboratory animal science opportunities, and our local branch. After the intro, attendees were divided into two groups to tour the NCSU-CVM Large Animal Hospital and the new 3T MRI suite. During these tours, the students were guided by two clinicians from the university who shared their career journeys and current work at the school. After these tours, the groups split out to observe a demonstration in the pain research gait lab and a dental prophylaxis with a laboratory animal colony dog. During the dental prophylaxis demonstration, NC State veterinary technicians discussed induction, equipment function, surgical pack preparation, and monitoring while performing the procedure. A student prepares to analyze blood smears during the hands-on wet lab.
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 35
Students were exposed to more specifics for animal science in general including a hands-on suturing workshop using banana peels.
The suturing practice with banana peels was a big hit. Lena Perdue (right), Training Coordinator from UNC Chapel Hill, guided students in practicing their sutures.
Breakout Sessions
involve working with animals. Many students think their only option to work with animals is to be a veterinarian. One advisor commented, “Our students need to understand the realities of the competitive nature of veterinary careers. This event did a great job of communicating this to students. This was by far the most valuable part of the event.” All students attending were given materials from the AALAS Foundation that included information on the Celebrate the Mouse video contest, LAS careers, educational requirements, and benefits of animal research.
Once the presentations were over, attendees split into four smaller groups for breakout sessions that included discussions and hands-on activities with enrichment, PPE, suturing, and the large animal surgery suite. Students were exposed to more specifics for animal science in general with a heavy focus on the laboratory animal aspects. Suture practice was demonstrated for all groups, and then each student could practice on their banana peel “patient” to hone their skills. Finally, all attendees gathered again as a large group for one last hands-on activity of creating blood smear slides. Dr. Nneka George, NC State Laboratory Animal Resources Clinical Veterinarian, discussed the ins and outs of preparing the slide. Once the demonstration was complete, each student had the opportunity to practice preparing, staining, and viewing their blood smear slide. This activity seemed to spark a lot of interest because the students could all actively engage in the activity together with various branch members rotating through the classroom area to assist as needed.
Career Panel
The day wrapped up with a career panel that consisted of an Assistant Operations Director, a Training Coordinator, a Training Manager, an Operations Manager, and a Colony Lab Manager. The students were eager to ask questions about the jobs, experiences with career paths, and general advice for college. After exposure to the opportunities and careers within the field, students gained insights they were not aware of that
36 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Future Opportunities
RTB successfully scaled up this event for this second offering to local FFA groups in North Carolina. The branch substantially expanded the network of contacts within the FFA to include a larger number of high school and middle school students, with the help of an advisor from Heritage High School in Wake Forest, NC. RTB hopes that other branches will consider taking advantage of the funding opportunity available with the AALAS Foundation to host outreach events in other communities. It is a rewarding experience to meet youth and tell them about opportunities many current LAS stakeholders wish they would have been aware of sooner. Courtney Nesline, BS, RLATG, CMAR, is an Operations Manager in the Division of Comparative Medicine at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC.
Charlotte
71st AALAS NATIONAL MEETING OCTOBER 25 - 29, 2020
Join us for the 71st AALAS National Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each fall since 1950, the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science has held its annual National Meeting. During the five days of the meeting, members and nonmembers come together to enjoy the workshops, lectures, poster sessions, and exhibits. The program is designed to have topics relevant to the entire membership. Exhibitors have an opportunity to interact with AALAS members from the academic community, research institutions, government organizations, and commercial companies. The AALAS National Meeting is the largest gathering in the world of professionals concerned with the production, care, and use of laboratory animals. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Phone: (901) 754 - 8620 Fax: (901) 753 - 0046 info@aalas.org www.aalas.org
JOIN US IN CHARLOTTE, NC OCTOBER 25 - 29, 2020
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 37
Figure 1. Supply items needed for the activity.
38 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
OUT REACH
AALAS in the community
Science Outreach with a Link to Research: What’s in Your Blood? By Julie Kent, BS, RLATG
I
t can be a challenge to discuss the importance of animals in biomedical research, especially with a mixed audience. “What’s in Your Blood?” is a hands-on, educational activity that allows participants to create a “blood” sample that mimics the actual composition of their own blood. It creates opportunities for discussion on the similarities between animals and humans, as well as the importance of animals in the study of disease. This experiment can be tailored to any age level. Materials
The following materials are needed for the experiment (Figure 1). • 15 mL plastic centrifuge tubes with screwtop caps • Rack or holder for centrifuge tubes • Plastic transfer pipettes- 3-5mL capacity • Vegetable oil • Red seed beads- 3mm • White beads- 6mm pony beads or similar • Purple glitter shards/ chunky glitter • Sugar • Salt • Super glue • Table cover and paper towels
Science Lesson and Hands-on Experiment
Share some basic information about different types of blood cells, and have students follow along and add the right components to their tubes. Here are some talking points to get started: Red blood cells make up about 44% of your blood. Their job is to help carry oxygen from your lungs to the other organs and tissues in your body, and then carry carbon dioxide back to your lungs to be exhaled. • Have older students calculate 44% of 15mL (6.6mL). For younger students, give them this number or put a small line outside of the tube. Students should add red beads to their tubes to represent red blood cells.
White blood cells are part of your immune system and they help you fight infections. White blood cells and platelets make up only about 1% of your blood. • Have students add a few white beads to their tubes.
Fun Fact: In mammals, oxygen is transported through the body with the help of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin contains iron, which bonds with oxygen and is what gives red blood cells their color. But in horseshoe crabs, hemocyanin is responsible for that transport. Hemocyanin uses copper instead of iron to bond with oxygen, which makes their blood blue! Research Link: Horseshoe crabs have amebocytes in their blood. Amebocytes work similarly to white blood cells by attacking pathogens and bacteria. They coagulate around bacterial contamination, and are so sensitive that they can detect as little as one part in a trillion of bacteria! Horseshoe crab blood has been used worldwide by researchers to detect contamination in medical equipment and vaccines. Source: horseshoecrab.org
Platelets are tiny, flattened blood cells. They are attracted like magnets to the broken edges of blood vessels, and rush to an injury site to link together to form a blood clot and stop active bleeding. • Have students add a few glitter shards to their tubes. Plasma is a liquid that makes up the other 55% of your blood. This liquid contains water, salts, sugar, fat and protein, and helps carry blood cells throughout your body (Figure 2). • Have students fill their tubes to the 15mL mark with vegetable oil using a plastic transfer pipette. Then, have them add a few grains each of salt and sugar to the tube to represent salts and sugars that are in the plasma. • I highly suggest that you do this step over a container! For younger students, if you’d prefer to avoid a mess, skip the oil and explain that the empty space represents the liquid plasma. March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 39
Fun Fact: Most blood cells (red, white, and platelets) are produced in the bone marrow, which is the spongy tissue inside your long bones. Your bone marrow is like a blood cell factory, and replaces blood cells frequently- a red blood cell only lives for about four months, platelets live for about a week, and some white blood cells only live for about a day!
Figure 2. Adding plasma to the tubes.
Figure 3. A completed blood sample tube.
To finish up, have an adult help wipe down the outside of the tube and put a few drops of super glue on the outside threads of the tube before screwing the cap on. Explain how a blood sample looks red when blood is drawn, but when it’s spun down, it separates into layers that look very similar to their tubes (Figure 3).
affects someone they know and find out what kind of animals have contributed to the development of treatments of these diseases. Explain that if the composition of animal blood is similar to that of human blood, researchers can study an animal model of a blood-related disorder and learn a lot of useful information that could help humans or animals with the same disorder. As a presenter, take the time to talk to a researcher who works with a model of blood disease. There are new advancements all the time, so talking points can change every time this experiment is shared. Share what you are passionate about with your students, and your dedication will make a lasting impression.
Know Your Audience
For younger students, you can end this experiment by comparing blood samples, and pointing out that it’s hard to tell which tube belongs to which person. Classmates look very different from one another, but when you look at what’s on the inside, we are all very similar! The blood of a mouse, or a dog, or a horse, also has a lot of similarities to human blood, and scientists can learn a lot about how to help humans with diseases that affect their blood by working with animals with those same diseases. For older students or adults, discuss some of the different types of illnesses or diseases that can affect your blood.
Expanding the LAS Connection
Tie this experiment into animal research and make it your own! Maybe you have a personal connection with an individual who has aplastic anemia, or a pet that has suffered from leukemia. Encourage older students to do some research on a blood-related disorder that
Julie Kent, BS, RLATG, is a Lab Manager in the Soderling Lab at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. She coaches elementary and middle school Science Olympiad teams and coordinates Science Night events for K-8 students.
Sources and Resources • • • • •
hematology.org www.cdc.gov www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk horseshoecrab.org https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
40 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Research Link: By working with mice, rats and guinea pigs, researchers found that injecting healthy bone marrow into animals with compromised immune systems could help restore bone marrow function. Further research, tracking rat bone marrow cells that were transplanted into mice, showed how these healthy cells migrated into the bone marrow and began to create new blood cells! The first bone marrow transplant was performed on a human in 1956, and has been used to successfully treat leukemia, aplastic anemia, and some immune deficiency disorders in humans and animals! Source: PubMed: PMC5003882
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 41
Inside the IACUC
Improving IACUC and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Collaboration Strategies to develop a means of communication between the two committees. By Alison D Pohl, MS, CPIA, RLATG, and Ron G. Wallace, PhD, CIH, RBP IACUCs typically do not work in a vacuum. Administrators and members often find themselves dealing with other research oversight groups in the course of approving proposed animal research. For the majority of institutions, the most common interactions are with the Institutional Biosafety Committee or IBC. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules, also known as the NIH Guidelines, provide the basic structure for administrative operations of an IBC which are followed by many academic, government, pharmaceutical, and other organizations throughout the United States. While the NIH Guidelines are applicable only to recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids (r•s•NA), many institutions, especially those in academia, include other types of hazardous agent work, such as work including toxins along with non-recombinant bacteria and viruses, under the IBC’s purview. Such an expansion of scope, although quite common, often results in administrative structures that serve as headwinds for IACUC and IBC collaborations. IBC and IACUC collaboration is the focus of this Inside the IACUC column. Two colleagues at UConn Health, one from the IACUC and the other from the IBC, have teamed up to provide some insight and tips on how to improve IACUC and IBC communication and collaboration. Enjoy! Stacy Pritt, DVM, MS, MBA, CPIA, CHRC, DACAW
F
or several years, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, the NIH Office of Science Policy, and several professional associations have been promoting robust interaction between an institution’s IACUC and IBC. Attend a Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIMR) conference, and you will probably see a workshop regarding this topic. Both committees want to review and approve research as thoroughly and as quickly as possible. As a lot of animal research involves the use of recombinant technologies, it makes sense to develop a means of communication between the two committees. OLAW has published an opinion on this topic, indicating that their preference is that IBC approval should be required before IACUC approval,1 which can complicate things if there is not a robust line of communication between the IACUC and the IBC. An inherent difference between IBC and IACUC operations is that IBCs do not have the ability to review projects via Designated Member Review (DMR) as the IACUC does. This means that all non-exempt activities involving the use of recombinant and synthetic nucleic acids (r•s•NA) must be reviewed by the full committee, which can increase approval turnaround time. When institutions require IBC approval before IACUC approval, if the requirement for IBC approval isn’t anticipated early in the review of the IACUC protocol, the IACUC protocol may be held up longer waiting for the IBC to approve its part of the project – especially if DMR is reviewing the IACUC protocol. It may not be reasonable to expect the IACUC office to know all the intricacies of r•s•NA regulations, so how can the two committees get research approved as quickly as possible with this type of hierarchical committee model?
42 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Ideas to Improve Collaboration Overlaps
Consider overlap between the committees in terms of membership, including committee administrators. Many institutions feel that such overlap is imperative for collaboration with this model to work. Such overlap can ensure communication between the two committees, encourage reciprocal review of committee policies to confirm consistency, and allow for collaborative approaches to non-compliance, AAALAC site visits, and training.
Streamline
Streamline how the IACUC protocol form asks for r•s•NA information. The following descriptions should be included (The sections below are from the NIH Guidelines: https://osp.od.nih.gov/biotechnology/ nih-guidelines/): • Is r•s•NA being used? Examples should be provided, and explanations for several different types of recombinant experiments should be requested. • Can the information provided in the IACUC protocol suffice for IBC notification and eliminate the need for a separate IBC registration? Example: Say you have a PI who wishes to make a transgenic animal. This activity would require an IBC registration for the use of recombinant technologies, and it would require IACUC approval because of the animal use. Under the r•s•NA Guidelines, this activity is called a Section III-E experiment; that is, it requires the PI to notify the IBC but does not need actual IBC approval prior to the making of the animal. In our protocol form, we added questions explaining the construction of a recombinant line. In this way, the PI only completes the animal care and use protocol, and the IBC administrator takes
the information to the IBC (e.g., PI fulfills the requirement of notification to the IBC). Therefore, the PI does not have to write a separate IBC registration to do this Section III-E activity.
Partial Decoupling
Consider a partial decoupling of IBC approval before IACUC approval through administrative communication channels. • The IACUC can provide information directly to the IBC. Example: What about something that requires IBC approval prior to starting the experiment (Section III-D)? Say a PI has various lines of transgenic mice, and he wants to implant cells from one line of mouse into another. You can include a question in the IACUC protocol that asks for the details about various recombinant cell implantation experiments in the IACUC protocol. When the animal care and use protocol is submitted to the IACUC, the IACUC administrator could ensure that the information is reviewed by the IBC administrator, who can, in turn, notify the PI that they require an IBC registration for this work. At our institution, if the PI already has an IBC registration, and they are just adding new recombinant cell implantations, the IBC administrator will add this work to the IBC registration (with the PI’s approval) and bring it to the IBC for review and approval at the next IBC meeting. For the IACUC, the PI only needs to modify the animal protocol. This improves turnaround time for the approval to a maximum of 1 month at our institution, but often, the wait is shorter.
• The IBC can provide information directly to the IACUC. Example: There are times that the IBC is reviewing registrations when a PI discloses that they are performing r•s•NA non-exempt experiments in animals without having previously included this in the IACUC protocol. Assuming that there is no non-compliance, the IBC administrator can inform the IACUC administrator. The IACUC administrator can then inform the PI that they need to modify their animal protocol to include this work, improving turnaround times since the PI can work on this while the IBC registration is still under review. We hope that you find these ideas helpful, and we are sure that there are several other collaborative models out there that are working too. The idea is to actively engage each committee’s members and administrators to find solutions that work and deliver consistency and efficiency to support the valuable animal research at our institutions. Alison D Pohl, MS, CPIA, RLATG, is an IACUC Administrator at UConn Health in Farmington, CT Ron G. Wallace, PhD., CIH, RBP, is a Biosafety Officer/IBC Administrator at UConn Health in Farmington, CT
REFERENCES 1. Brown P, Gipson C. 2011. A Word from OLAW and USDA. Lab Anim 40: (10) 297.
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March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 43
Management/Career & Training
Goal Setting Basics
The key to successfully reaching your goals is to set realistic expectations and have a plan. By Susan Rosati, MS Ed, LVT, RLATG
A
s we make headway into the new decade, have you thought about your personal and professional goals for the upcoming year? The beginning of a new year is often a popular time to make resolutions and break bad habits. Often, we set these new year goals and resolutions, then at some point (a few months, weeks, or even days into it), we go off course and give up. Before you know it, we are back to our old ways. This happens with diet and exercise resolutions, attempts to quit smoking, setting financial goals, and other personal and professional goals. But why? Breaking It Down
It takes a minimum of 21 days to create a habit. We often make open-ended goals without a breakdown or path to achievement. This can lead to failure because there is no plan. Big, long term goals are wonderful. But without manageable and attainable pieces, goals like this can be overwhelming. We say, “I am going to quit smoking, I am going to lose weight, I am going to make more money, and I will start a new career.” But how? Break down these long-term goals into short term goals and steps. A fresh start can happen at any time. You do not need to wait for a new year, a new month, or even a new week. The key to successfully reaching your goals is to set realistic expectations and have a plan. Once you break down the steps needed for effective goal setting, identify reasons why you might not have reached your goals in the past.
Why Don’t We Reach Our Goals?
We first need to separate and acknowledge our have to and our want to items. Have to items are those items that, if left neglected, someone will remind you about. You have to go to work. You have to take out the trash. You have to go food shopping. The list goes on. Want to items are ultimately your goals. You want to lose weight, you want to get a new job, you want to go to Hawaii, you want to learn to ski. These items bring personal gain and fulfillment. Often, the want to items that can make your life more satisfying are the first things we let go. The have to items take over and may keep us from reaching goals. This could be a major reason you haven’t reached your goals in the past. End this cycle. Many of those goals will improve your life, keep you fulfilled, and provide personal and professional gain. You need to prioritize working towards your wants just as much as you prioritize working on the things you must complete each day. Let’s walk through a few examples. 44 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Making A Plan
The first step is to write down a list of your goals. Identify your top personal goal and your top work-related goal. For example, a personal goal could be buying a new home, and a work goal might be to improve staff morale. Next, break these long-term goals into short-term goals. Personal Goal Long Term: New Home / Short Term Goals: • • • • • •
Open a savings account Create a budget Cut out unnecessary purchases Begin organizing and purging current home Talk to a real-estate agent Talk to a mortgage lender
For each short-term goal, develop a plan. For example, to address the savings account goal, go to the bank, and open a specific account just for house savings. Determine a reasonable amount you can have automatically deposited from your paycheck into savings. This can always be adjusted down the line. But it is a starting point. Work Goal Long Term: Improve Staff Morale / Short Term Goals: • • • •
Do more fun events with staff Survey employees about the workplace Put together a morale committee Establish more one on one meetings
Here is an example of breaking down one of our work-related short-term goals into a plan. To address the first item, schedule two quarterly lunch and learns. Reserve a room or choose a location. Send out invitations via email. Invite a guest speaker to talk about a wellness topic such as work-life balance. One of the most critical steps we often skip is to make
time. Schedule these tasks on your calendar and choose dates and times. These steps are crucial to reach your goals. Have to items will sneak up. Carve out time for goals setting tasks. Recognize that this is a change in behavior, a significant change important to personal wellness and growth.
Using Lists
In your planning and goal setting, create a daily and a weekly list. Use your calendar and include the have to and want to items. Create a habit of scheduling tasks needed to achieve your goals and writing lists of the things to accomplish. You will see the items in prominent places, you will dedicate time to them, and you will have a sense of satisfaction and productivity after completion. These sensations release endorphins. You will physically feel happy that you are accomplishing things you aimed to take on. Setting goals and planning a reasonable and attainable path to get there will increase your happiness at home and in the workplace. Take the time to set a few goals and take small steps toward achieving them. Happy planning! Susan Rosati, MS Ed, LVT, LATG, is the Assistant Director of Training Operations in University Laboratory Animal Resources at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA where she leads a model scientist training program and oversees a forward-thinking training team.
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www.ezsystemsinc.com March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 45
Management/Career & Training
Student Loan Debt: Is PSLF for You? By Grace Kim, DVM
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or student loan borrowers, the student loan repayment landscape can look daunting. Not only are graduates regularly dealing with loan balances in the six-figure range, but there are numerous repayment plans and programs available. This has confused borrowers as they are looking to choose the option that best fits their situation. An option that has garnered attention is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. This article will highlight the PSLF program and help borrowers determine if this program fits their needs.
What Is PSLF?
PSLF is a government program designed to forgive loans for those who work in the public sector. As a part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, the thought was that by offering loan forgiveness, borrowers would be incentivized to work in the public sector. The main benefit of PSLF is that after 120 qualifying payments, the remaining balance on eligible loans is forgiven tax-free.
What About Other Forgiveness Options?
What Are the Requirements for PSLF?
According to the official federal student aid website,1 you need the following to qualify: • Be employed by a qualifying entity (federal, state, local, tribal government) or a not-for-profit organization • Work full-time • Have direct loans • Be on an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan • Make 120 qualifying payments Since most veterinarians work in the private sector, many veterinarians would not be eligible to receive PSLF. However, those who work in laboratory animal medicine have a unique advantage in that they are often employed at qualified entities, such as academic centers.
For clarity, PSLF is a forgiveness program, NOT a student loan repayment plan.
Why Would I Bother Applying for PSLF?
There are currently 7 repayment plans available to borrowers who have federal loans: • Standard Repayment • Graduated Repayment • Extended Repayment • Income-Based Repayment (IBR) • Income Contingent Repayment (ICR) • Pay As You Earn (PAYE) • Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE)
IDR repayment plans have repayment periods of 20-25 years. Since PSLF requires 120 qualifying payments (which do not have be consecutive), you could receive forgiveness in as little as 10 years. Therefore, PSLF significantly reduces the amount of time spent in repayment, which in turn reduces the amount paid in principal and interest.
The last four (IBR, ICR, PAYE, and REPAYE) are grouped as types of Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans. These plans base your monthly payments on your income, not your loan amount. IDR plans are designed to forgive your loans at the end of the loan repayment term (anywhere from 20-25 years), but the forgiven amount is treated as taxable income. The tax that is due is often referred to as the “tax bomb,” and the amount can be quite substantial depending on the amount forgiven and the borrower’s tax bracket. A prerequisite to receiving PSLF is that you are already enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan (see below). 46 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Shorter Repayment Term
Tax-Free Forgiveness
PSLF allows for your balance to be forgiven tax-free, as opposed to staying on an IDR plan to term with no PSLF. The following table illustrates the difference with the following assumptions about the borrower. • Single • Starting salary of $75,000 • 6% interest rate • PAYE repayment plan • 30% tax bracket Calculations courtesy of the VIN Foundation Student Loan Repayment Simulator.5 Numbers are rounded for clarity.
Without PSLF
With PSLF
Loan Amount
$200,000
$200,000
Loan Repayment Term
20
10
Amount Forgiven Taxes on Forgiveness
$303,000
$283,000
$91,000
$0
Total Cost of Loan
$258,000
$68,000
As you can see, this borrower saved nearly $200,000 by receiving PSLF.
Loan Forgiveness Sounds Great, but I Don’t Trust the Program PSLF has received quite a bit of negative press, with headlines from Forbes such as 99% of Borrowers Rejected Again for Student Loan Forgiveness.4 Critics were quick to blast the program for its low acceptance rate. However, when delving deeper into the report,2 it was clear that most rejections were due to applicants who did not meet all the PSLF requirements. Twenty-four percent of applications were rejected due to the simple fact that the applications had missing information. Due to confusion and the program’s novelty, borrowers who followed all the proper steps from the very beginning of the program to receive PSLF now are rare. It is expected that the number of approved applications will spike within the next couple of years, and the numbers will continue to grow as the number of eligible borrowers increase over time. One lesson for borrowers is to keep meticulous records of your payments. This ensures your payments are marked as qualifying payments. Be sure that you are sending in your employment certification form annually and continue to watch that your payments are being properly labeled as qualified.3 Thus far, any new legislation that has hinted at ending PSLF has proposed that this would apply to any new borrowers. This means that current borrowers would be grandfathered into the program. An option for those who like to stay on the safe side is to create a separate savings/investment account in case Congress decides to change the rules. They can then use the funds from this account to cover the cost of their loans. The upside is that if they DO receive PSLF, which is more likely than not, they are free to use these funds however they’d like.
Is PSLF Right for Me?
There are three major questions you should ask yourself when it comes to PSLF:
Can I see myself at this PSLF-eligible job for a minimum of 10 years? If the only reason you are at your current job is because of PSLF, and you are otherwise unhappy at your job, then only you can determine if this tradeoff is worth it. It is always ideal to have as much job satisfaction as possible, regardless of PSLF. Am I okay with carrying debt for 10 years? Some people are much more debt-averse than others. Many borrowers who are on an IDR plan will see their loan balances go up (also referred to as negative amortization) if their monthly payments do not cover the interest portion of their loans. Calculate your debt to income ratio, which is your student debt compared to your income. If you are very debt-averse and you have a low enough debt-to-income ratio (under 2:1), then you can explore the option to aggressively pay off your debt and forgo PSLF. Please run your numbers and consider your decision considering your overall financial situation. Do I have confidence in the PSLF program? As noted earlier, there have been many negative headlines that have eroded the public’s confidence. Hopefully, this article has resolved some of this confusion.
Conclusion
If you are carrying student loans and are working full-time for a PSLF-eligible employer, it is worth your time to investigate this option further. As a veterinarian, you are in a unique position to take advantage of this generous benefit that is not March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 47
available to the majority of DVMs. Making this decision will ultimately affect the rest of your finances, so be sure to do your research and determine whether pursuing PSLF is right for you. For additional information, visit these websites: • Federal Student Aid: Public Service Loan Forgiveness: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service • Making PSLF Work For You: https://www.avma.org/resources/veterinary-economics/making-pslf-work-you Dr. Grace Kim is a 2003 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. She has a background in both companion animal medicine and laboratory animal medicine. After her struggles with financial literacy and getting her financial life in order, she founded the blog Richer Life DVM (https:// richerlifedvm.com/), which aims to help fellow veterinarians improve their financial health and wellness.
REFERENCES 1. Federal Student Aid. [Internet]. 2020. Public service loan forgiveness. [Cited 24 January 2020]. Available at: https://studentaid.gov/ manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service 2. Federal Student Aid. [Internet]. 2020. Public service loan forgiveness data. [Cited 24 January 2020]. Available at: https://studentaid. gov/data-center/student/loan-forgiveness/pslf-data 3. Federal Student Aid. [Internet]. 2020. Public service loan forgiveness certification form. [Cited 24 January 2020]. Available at: https:// studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service/ employment-certification-form 4. Forbes. [Internet]. 99% of borrowers rejected again for student loan forgiveness. [Cited 24 January 2020]. Available at: https://www. forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2019/05/01/99-of-borrowers-rejected-again-for-student-loan-forgiveness/#66612e54b16b 5. VIN Foundation. [Internet]. 2020 Student loan repayment simulator. [Cited 24 January 2020]. Available at: https://www.vin.com/studentdebtcenter/default.aspx?pid=14352&id=7578014
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48 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
DIY: Peanut Butter Pumpkin Yogurt Pops By Kari Buchanan, RLATG
H
ere is a DIY snack that has proven to be a big hit for canines of all sizes. Remember, all food enrichment ideas should be approved by the facility veterinarian. Customize your popsicles by using different types of silicone molds, ice trays, or paper cups.
Ingredients
30-32 oz 100% Pumpkin (Not to be confused with pie filling which contains lots of sugar.) 32 oz plain Greek yogurt, unsweetened 2 heaping tablespoons of peanut butter (Make sure the peanut butter does not contain Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol sweetener which is harmful to dogs.)
Supplies
Ice trays, small paper cups, or silicone molds Dog biscuits Tablespoon or spatula Blender or mixer
Directions
1. Add yogurt, peanut butter, and pumpkin to a blender and thoroughly mix ingredients together. 2. Pour or spoon mixture into your containers. (Amount will vary depending on treat size.) 3. After mixture has been poured into the containers, insert a small dog biscuit to each treat so that the treat is submerged into the mixture. 4. Place trays in freezer for 6+ hours. 5. When ready to serve, pop treats out of the trays or peel the paper off the cups. The dog biscuit makes a convenient and tasty handle to pull the frozen treats out of the trays.
Have an idea for a DIY enrichment treat or toy? Share your solutions with other LAS Pro readers. Email us at laspro@aalas.org to learn more.
TECH TIPS
Insights in husbandry, enrichment, and new techniques and tactics
Keeper of the Dirty Cages By Stacey Beck RVT, RLATG, MS, BS; Dianne Harrison LATG; and Judy Hickman-Davis DVM, PhD, DACLAM
D
irty bedding sentinels are used as one of the primary components of the rodent health surveillance monitoring program at the University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) at The Ohio State University. Rodent colony health monitoring is an important part of monitoring the health status of research animals. ULAR provides health surveillance within rodent animal facilities by utilizing a sentinel program. Sentinel mice are a vital part of the rodent colony health monitoring to help detect diseases in colony animals, through them ingesting feces from the colony cages. For the rodent surveillance program to be effective, sentinel cages need to be dirty. A properly made sentinel cage will make it more likely that an infection would be detected with the rodent health surveillance program. During routine checks of sentinel cages, a wide range of dirtiness was observed, with the majority of cages considered too clean. A plan to score the different sentinel cages was developed along with a way to motivate staff to create the perfect dirty sentinel cage that is essential for the rodent health monitoring program. Materials and Methods
sterile cage with clean bedding. Photos were taken on day 1, and then at 1 wk and 2 wk (Figure 1). A grading scale was developed that consisted of 1 through 4, with 1 being excellent and 4 being poor (Figure 2). An excellent score indicated that the sentinel cage was properly dirty. A score of poor indicated that the cage was not dirty enough. The grading scale was used each quarter to score the sentinel cages according to the level of dirtiness they exhibited. Also, several training notes were made, which did not impact the grading scale (Figure 3). Notes included the date the cage was last changed, the number of cages on the rack contributing to the sentinel cage, the location of the sentinel cage (should be in the bottom right corner of the rack), and the bedding depth (should
Figure 1. Serial photographs at a sentinel cage at initial, day 7, and day 14.
Figure 2. Grading scale for Sentinel Superstar program
Sentinel cages are created each time a ULAR husbandry staff changes all the cages on a rack. Each sentinel cage is included on an IACUC approved protocol. This process occurs every 2 wk. The process starts with a clean empty cage. A small amount (≼1 tsp) of the dirtiest bedding from each rodent cage on the rack is added to the empty sentinel cage. The final amount of dirty bedding should be consistent with 0.5 in bedding depth (~300mL). The sentinel mice are then put into the new dirty cage and placed back in their location on the rack. A dirty cage grading scale baseline was developed by taking serial photographs of a sentinel cage starting with 2 sentinel mice placed in a
50 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Figure 3. Criteria used to perform sentinel cage monitoring during sentinel check. Special notes indicate if the cage was changed out for special reasons. The pink circle indicates the correct location of the sentinel cage.
be 0.5 in or 300 mL). Finally, a sentinel cage that was changed to completely clean bedding due to water leakage should be identified by the room technician on the cage card. This would exempt the cage from being graded for dirtiness. Sentinel cages were scored once during each quarter at a random time. The same quality assurance animal health technician performed all the scoring of the cages. Individuals that received excellent scores for sentinel cages for all the racks they change are awarded the title Sentinel Superstar for that quarter. Each Sentinel Superstar member receives a certificate, a striving for excellence lanyard, and a rodent pin (Figure 4 A-B). Individuals that keep the title for 4 consecutive quarters are inducted into the Sentinel Superstar club. Each club member must keep excellent sentinel cage scores for the entire quarter to remain in the club. If any score drops below excellent, then the member is removed from the club roster. For every 4 quarters a member remains in the club, they move up a tier (seniority) and they receive a different rodent pin. If a member at any time drops below the excellent score needed to be in the club, they will have another chance to start obtaining the four consecutive excellent scores needed for Sentinel Superstar membership the next quarter when the sentinel cages are evaluated. The first quarter that the sentinel superstar program was implemented, only 9 employees out of 35 were identified as a Sentinel Superstar. In the next quarter, this number increased to 11 employees. Two years into the Sentinel Superstar program, we have 26 employees out of the 36 employees evaluated reaching the Sentinel Superstar status for their sentinel cages.
Initially, in 2016, only 25% of individuals were scored excellent, and currently, 72% are scored in the excellent category for creating the sentinel cage. Employees that maintain excellent scores and continue with sentinel superstar status for 12 consecutive months are raised to a first-tier position. With each year, they can step up a tier. Since the beginning of the program, we have had 24 individuals reach the first tier of the Superstar club, 8 individuals reach the second tier, and recently 1 employee reached the third tier.
A
Figure 4 A. Individuals received a certificate, lanyard, mouse pins, and labels for name tags
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 51
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B Figure 4 B. A sign displayed inside each facility to explain the Sentinel Superstar program.
Conclusion
The goal of this program was to encourage staff members to excel when making their sentinel cages by providing confidence when performing their duties and recognition of a job well done. The program has increased the number of staff excelling in their sentinel responsibilities by 300%. This Sentinel Superstar club has created a buzz around the department with discussions about what mouse pin will be next. We have seen an improvement in the way staff members maintain sentinel cages, including correct bedding depth and sentinel cage location. Public recognition motivated staff members to excel, and improved sentinel cage maintenance allows us to be confident about the health monitoring program. Acknowledgments: A special thanks to Charles Martin and Jennifer Jarrell for their help, and ULAR operations staff for their cooperation during this project. Thank you to Charles River Laboratory for providing the mouse pins used during the Sentinel Recognition.
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Stacey Beck, RVT, RLATG, MS, is a Senior Animal Health Technician in the University Laboratory Animal Resources at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Dianne Harrison, LATG, is a Supervisor in the University Laboratory Animal Resources at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Judy Hickman-Davis, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, is a Veterinarian in the University Laboratory Animal Resources at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. 52 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
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Name ___________________________
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25 What are castrated male goats called?
3 A male rabbit is called a ________. 7 What is the scientific name of the common house mouse? 10 Implantation procedure where a small tube is inserted into a body cavity duct or vessel 12 Who reviews all animal use protocols at the institution before studies using animals can begin? 14 _________is a dietary additive for birds made of oyster shell and granite. 16 What is the scientific name for the African clawed frog? 17 How many compartments are in a ruminant stomach? 18 When housing amphibians, what environmental variable must remain consistent? 19 The process of removing the horns of a young goat is called __________. 21 Who submits the animal welfare assurance of compliance that the animal research program meets all relevant regulations and standards? 22 The scientific name of the domestic sheep is? 23 The surgical removal of the wing tips of a bird is called? 24 What are nonliving items or materials that transmit infectious organisms called?
DOWN 1 Which parasite can be transmitted to humans through the handling of cat feces? 2 What is the term that describes the disease that does not cause any visible signs? 4 What drug formulation is used for enteral administration when the animal is prone to vomiting? 5 Pigs are used in a number of infectious disease studies, but they are especially useful in the study of: 6 What is the hand-held instrument that is used to measure air flow called? 8 Which rat is known as the hooded rat? 9 Investigating the nature and cause of a disease is called obtaining a: 11 What is it called when only unrelated animals are mated with each other? 13 What device can be used to handle and restrain a cow for an injection in a large corral? 15 Which of these involves the development of methods for uniquely recognizing humans based upon physical features? 20 What is alopecia?
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 53
TECH TIPS
Insights in husbandry, enrichment, and new techniques and tactics
Piggy See, Piggy Do: A Swine Training Program Enhances Animal Welfare and Research Efficiency A
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Figure 1 A-C. Highly palatable and odor enriched recovery feed (feed/cinnamon scented cereal/nutty trail mix/marshmallows) (A), frozen PRANGTM (Bio-Serv) popsicle cups (B), and sliced apples in a peanut butter waffle cone (C) are placed throughout the entire room.
By Fernando De La Garza, ALAT and Coralie Zegre Cannon DVM, DACLAM
S
wine are commonly used in biomedical research for preclinical research and development. They share similar skin characteristics, cardiovascular systems, and surface area to humans, making them a valuable animal model for medical device development. Becton Dickinson (BD) Animal Research Program developed an extensive training and environmental enrichment program to acclimate newly arrived swine to daily husbandry routines. The program seeks to build trust between swine and animal care and research staff from human-animal interactions. Natural behaviors are promoted including social interactions and rooting. The program’s goal is to decrease stress associated with laboratory research procedures and to improve animal welfare leading to reproducible and reliable scientific data. This publication serves as a reference to describe the step-by-step process in the swine training program.
received with minimal noise and positive association with their new holding rooms by providing them highly palatable treats and toys. Highly palatable and odor enriched recovery feed (feed/ cinnamon scented cereal/nutty trail mix/marshmallows), frozen PRANG™ (Bio-Serv) popsicle cups and sliced apples are placed throughout the entire room (Figure 1 A-C). The presence of treats and feed encourages the swine to explore their new environment with frequent, positive reinforcement as they are scent oriented (Figure 2). This leads to a positive association with the new environment and husbandry staff. All animals are closely observed for any personality traits, health issues,
Step 1. Arrival The first step is to create a positive experience for swine upon arrival to the facility. Transportation of purpose-bred research animals can be very stressful. The development of fear memories can cause an animal to respond negatively.1 Swine are 54 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Figure 2. Treats are placed directly on the clean floor to promote rooting and create positive, first experience.
Figure 3. Human-animal interaction continuously provides trust-building among the swine.
and abnormal behaviors. Animal caretakers sit on the floor with the animals to observe natural cohorts for possible group housing opportunities. If animals show interest and approach the caretakers, every effort is made to make contact with them as another positive reinforcement to encourage human-animal interactions (Figure 3).
Step 2. Acclimation Period
All animals undergo the approved IACUC acclimation period of 6 d to allow adjustment to the new animal facility and the animal care staff. All swine under acclimation are offered the opportunity to exit home cages for socializing and exercising within the animal holding room during daily cleaning. This allows swine control over their environment by giving them the option to enter and exit their runs. Once the animals readily exit and re-enter their home runs, they are introduced to the transport cage. It is attached to the home cage with both doors left open for up to 1 h per day to encourage exploration and establishing of it as a safe space. They are rewarded with highly palatable food rewards in the transport cart (Figure 4). The goal of the animal care staff is to minimize animal startle response during the acclimation period. They knock on the room entry door before entering every time to minimize a startle response.
Step 3. Environmental Enrichment
A variety of environmental enrichment is provided daily, such as swine toys (large plastic ball, jingle ball with washers, rubber KONGÂŽ) (Figure 5), human to swine interaction, swine to swine interaction (Figure 6) and food rewards. Swine are a
Figure 4. Introduction to the transport cart. The first experience is always positive with treat enhancements. The transport represents a positive reward place.
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 55
Figure 5. Swine playtime in an animal holding room with balls.
naturally social species and are maintained well in groups. The program’s goal is to socially house animals whenever possible and requires IACUC approval for single housing. Increasing opportunities for social interaction, especially if swine are single-housed, is a priority in the training program. Social interactions lead to swine that are easy to handle, exhibit content vocalizations during feeding and/or exercise time, and will readily approach the front of their runs to greet research and husbandry staff.
Step 4. Introduction to Trainer Swine
Once animals are released from the acclimation period, they are introduced to the dedicated trainer swine under the approved IACUC training protocol. The trainer pig is a mature animal that has been used on a study protocol and then transferred to the training protocol to train the newly received swine (Figure 7). The trainer swine helps to move groups of swine between animal holding rooms during routine cleaning times. The trainer also leads new animals to the weigh scale for health checks and then onto procedure rooms for pre-medication and study preparation. Once swine on acclimation have several opportunities to run down the hallway, they associate leaving their animal holding rooms as a positive experience and look forward to following the trainer swine. The program introduces new swine to the daily routine, so they know what to expect. The trainer swine is also used as a recovery animal when an animal is slow to recover from anesthesia. Note the health status of all swine is determined before introduction to trainer swine to minimize risk of cross-contamination.
redirect the swine from the injection needle. Noise levels are also kept to a minimum to keep the swine calm. When the animal is returned to the home cage, they immediately receive recovery feed and a hydration cup to reward the behavior. The trainer swine can be used as an emotional support animal to help speed recovery after the procedure (Figure 8).
Conclusion
The swine training program has led to significant benefits in the animal research program. First, there is a significant improvement in animal welfare associated with handling of swine in a new environment. This has led to a reduction in physical trauma from fighting, stress and stress- associated health issues, including gastrointestinal issues (e.g., stress-induced diarrhea). Second, time management for daily procedures and processes is more efficient. Previously, it would require 2 animal technicians to actively encourage a pig to get into a transport cart for procedures. The training program has resulted in only 1 animal technician to encourage the animal to enter the
Step 5. Anesthesia Training
The final step of the swine training program is training for anesthesia, including pre and post-anesthesia procedures. A PRANG™ popsicle cup is placed in the transport cart to 56 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Figure 6. Swine to swine social interactions.
Figure 7. Introduction of swine on acclimation to the trainer swine.
Figure 8. Example of how swine are trained to present for veterinary rounds.
transport cart. In addition, the calmer animals have led to a reduction in pre-medication volume required to sedate a swine while achieving faster onset of sedation. Herd management is more efficient as entire swine cohorts will follow the trainer swine or the animal technician between rooms for husbandry purposes. Third, there is improved safety and ergonomics, as seen by a reduction in the amount of injuries sustained by both animal technicians and animals. Animal husbandry staff do not have wrist or knee injuries associated with corralling swine into transport carts. And swine are no longer running into lixit nipples and caging during room changes, thus reducing self-injury cases. Fourth, the swine training program has greatly enhanced the compassion satisfaction component of our animal research program. This, in turn, has led to minimal employee turnover and a culture that acknowledges compassion fatigue and encourages active discussion. The promotion of positive human-animal interactions has further driven the institution to support a culture of transparency and care by offering tours of the research animal facility and the chance to observe the swine training program in action. Researchers have also benefited by being able to discuss animal observations within animal holding rooms with minimal swine disruption as they are calm in their home environment.
Finally, the decrease in stress has led to minimal data variability leading to efficient scientific outcomes and application of the 3Rs. This supports BD’s commitment to good animal welfare which leads to good, quality data and science. Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank W. Andrew Spinks Scientist II, Investigational Biology for his support in image development, and the Becton Dickinson Research Animal Team for supporting the swine training work. Fernando De La Garza ALAT, is the Behavioral Management Specialist for Charles River Laboratories at Becton, Dickinson and Company in Research Triangle Park, NC. Coralie Zegre Cannon DVM, DACLAM, is the Corporate Director of Veterinary Services and Attending Veterinarian at Becton, Dickinson and Company in Research Triangle Park, NC.
REFERENCES: 1. Grandin T. 1997. Thinking the way animals do: unique insights from a person with a singular understanding. Western Horseman 11:140-145.
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TECH TIPS
Insights in husbandry, enrichment, and new techniques and tactics
Flight to Freedom: Behavior Modification of an Undomesticated Pigeon Using Human Interaction By Samantha Glaspell, RVT, RLAT
T
he white-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala, is a species of bird not often used in research. This may be related to its anxiety during normal human interactions, such as with cage changing. Our institution acquired a single, male, white-crowned pigeon after the unsuccessful completion of a study related to the behavior of this specific pigeon species. The pigeon, Mr. Grey, would become stressed and flap around the cage, causing feather loss and injury to himself. To improve the wellbeing of this pigeon, we decided to train him to help decrease his stress as well as increase his adoptability to various avian sanctuaries. Where to Begin?
Mr. Grey, 6-y-old, was born in captivity and arrived at our facility around 1 y of age. The white-crowned pigeon is a threatened species that inhabit South Florida and the Caribbean Islands. This species naturally feeds almost entirely on fruit-bearing hardwood trees. This gave me the idea to start with clicker-training using dried fruit treats. This method is used to train common household birds, such as parrots. The treats are used as a positive reinforcement tool to build trust between the trainer and the bird. He showed no interest in any of the various treats. However, I quickly recognized the associated fear between the bird and the trainer’s hands. Therefore, any plan needed to reflect a way to desensitize Mr. Grey to the fear of human hands.
A behavior plan was designed that involved increased enrichment, housing space, human interaction, as well as audio nature sounds. In increasing time increments over several months, two handlers worked daily with the pigeon. A slow, predictable hand movement toward the bird, below wings’ height, was used until stress was expressed. A quick, unexpected hand movement by the trainer caused stress and anxiety. The bird was scored daily, 5 d per week following a rubric which included observation of the pigeon. Scoring included behavior of the pigeon while the handler was approaching the cage, behavior of the pigeon while receiving auditory cues from the handler, reaction to movements of the handler, and tracking of negative stereotypical behaviors such as rousing and wing flapping (Figure 1). The scoring system used to
Figure 1. Scoring tables were used to track behavior 5 days a week.
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Figure 2. A mirror may have provided a wider range of vision and increased the pigeon’s self-confidence.
Figure 3. Mr. Grey’s behavior assessment over a 21-week period.
60 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
track the behavioral progress was adapted from a rubric used to assess shelter dogs’ behavior.1 Fecal samples were collected throughout training to evaluate corticosterone levels with the behavioral modification plan.
Progress!
Following the outlined training plan, no self-injuries were reported after the first month of training. The pigeon’s behavior progressed from a fearful bird to a calm, neutral bird, not asking for contact. Using the slow hand approach method, the bird accepted physical contact, starting with his feet and progressing to breast strokes and strokes between the wings. The bird also began to display species-typical behaviors, including vocalizing, grooming, and eating in front of trainers. A key environmental enrichment device was the addition of a mirror to his cage. We believe the mirror provided a wider range of vision and increased the pigeon’s self-confidence (Figure 2). This was reflected in the behavior score graphs over the 21-wk experimental period (Figure 3). Fecal corticosterone levels were within normal avian ranges and declined slightly during the experimental period. There were peaks in corticosterone levels, which seemed to correspond with stressful events, including nail and beak trims, medical treatment, and room disturbance. The overall slow decline in fecal corticosterone levels confirmed the decreased stress in this pigeon during the experimental period. At the end of the experimental period, Mr. Grey was even brave enough to start exploring outside of the cage.
Conclusion
A step-wise increase in non-handling human interaction can be used successfully for behavior modification, which improves animal welfare and reduces the risk of injury to the bird and staff. The behavioral plan can be adapted to other institutions attempting to rehabilitate an undomesticated species for transfer to an avian facility. This study was conducted on a protocol that was approved by The West Virginia University IACUC. Mr. Grey will be traveling to Key West, FL in mid-March to arrive at his forever home. Acknowledgments: Corinne Kozlowski, PhD, at St. Louis Zoo Endocrinology Laboratory, performed radioimmunoassay of corticosterone levels. Naymalis La Santa Medina, RVT, RLAT, is a Registered Veterinary Technician at West Virginia University, Office of Laboratory Animal Resources and was the second trainer involved in this study. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Katie Knapek and Dr. Ida Washington for their work with this project. I would like to thank the West Virginia University, office of laboratory animal resources, husbandry and veterinary staff. Samantha Glaspell, RVT, RLAT, is a Registered Veterinary Technician at West Virginia University, Office of Laboratory Animal Resources, in Morgantown, WV.
REFERENCES 1. Valsecchi P, Barnard S, Stefanini C, Normando S. 2011. Temperament test for re-homed dogs validated through direct behavioral observation in shelter and home environment. J Vet Behav 6 (3):161-177.
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TECH TIPS
Insights in husbandry, enrichment, and new techniques and tactics
What Is Your Tattoo Ink Telling You?
T
he art of human skin tattooing dates to the Stone Age.2 For years, tattoos have played a significant role in religion and acceptance to socio-culture groups. The tattooing process delivers a single dose of permanent pigment in the dermal layer of the skin with the fast elimination of soluble and free ink ingredients.9 The black ink often contains carbon black; whereas, the color ink contains organic pigments and metals which are combined to create different shades of color.
By Travis Young, LAT; Tanya Whiteside, BS; and Jacqueline Locklear, DVM
Tattooing traumatizes the skin, which can result in microbial infections with the severity ranging from minor to life-threating septicemia.3,10 The infection severity depends upon the virulence of the microbe, the individual’s immune status, and any underlying illnesses. Additionally, the metals in colored tattoo ink are known to cause dermal inflammation in some people.5 In the laboratory animal research field, tail tattooing has been widely used for decades as a reliable and clear method for rodent identification. It is used as a unique identifier for recording mouse colony information, health issues, and experimental data. However, this identification method can result in skin inflammation and primary or secondary skin infections. For the last 2 years, sporadic clinical cases of ulcerative, edematous tail dermatitis have been seen in our tattooed sentinel Swiss Webster mouse colony. This is in part due to self-injurious behaviors (Figures 1 and 2) but may also be caused by bacterial infections and chemical impurities associated with the rodent tattooing supplies and procedures. The purpose of this study is to define mouse tattoo bacterial infections and chemical impurities associated with our current rodent tattooing supplies and procedures.
Materials and Methods
Tattoo Inks and Equipment: Three ink colors (black, blue, and red) routinely used to tattoo rodents were analyzed for bacterial and heavy metal content. Additionally, sterile swabs were asepti62 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
cally collected and cultured from frequently used tattooing equipment (Figure 3). Animal Processing: This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Animal Program is fully accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, and this study was approved by the NIEHS Animal Care and Use Committee. Twenty, 8-wk-old female sentinel gnotobiotic “Altered Schaedler Flora” Swiss Webster mice (Tac:SW) were divided into 4 groups of 5 and were tattooed with black, blue, red ink, or no tattoo. Mice were housed in microisolator cages containing autoclaved Sani-Chips® hardwood bedding and received autoclaved Enviro-dri® and nestlet enrichment. Mouse rooms were maintained at a controlled temperature (22.2±2.0°C), relative humidity (40-60%), air changes (10-15 changes/h), and light cycle (12 h light/dark). Mice were given reverse-osmosis, deionized water, and fed autoclaved NIH-31 diet, ad libitum. Culture swabs were collected from mice exhibiting tail lesions due to the tattooing procedure. At the end of 4 wk, mice were euthanized using CO2, and livers and kidneys were collected. Tissues were flash-frozen and shipped for heavy metals testing. Microbial Culture and Identification: Tattoo inks, equipment, and clinical lesions were plated
Figure 1. Swiss Webster mouse exhibiting self-injurious behavior by biting its tail
directly onto trypticase soy agar with 5% sheep blood, phenyl ethyl alcohol agar, and MacConkey agar. Also, thioglycolate broth was inoculated as an enrichment medium. Microbiology plates and broths were incubated at 37ยบF for 24-72 h and observed daily for microbial growth. Bacterial isolates were identified using traditional microbial techniques11 and confirmed with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S rRNA PCR/sequencing. Heavy Metal Testing: Tattoo inks and mouse livers and kidneys were analyzed for arsenic, cadmium, and lead by pressure digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The limit of detection for the tattoo ink was 25 ppb for arsenic and 5 ppb for cadmium and lead. The heavy metal limit of detection for the tissues has different reporting limits based on the amount of sample digested as part of the analysis.
Results and Conclusion
Our results demonstrated that tattooing inks (open, dispensed into a secondary container, and unopen) and tattooing equipment are contaminated with environmental microbes (e.g., Enterococcus, Corynebacterium, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, and Lactobacillus). These results concur with previous findings from human tattooing procedures that unopen inks may not be sterile.6,8 Bacterial cultures from the tail lesions were positive for Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Acinetobacter spp. which are common microbes found in our rodent colonies. These microbes can cause primary or secondary infections when skin abrasions are present.
Figure 2. Ulcerative, edematous tail injury in proximity to tail tattoo
Our results also demonstrated exceptionally high lead (Pb) (2446.67 ppb) and high arsenic (As) (183.33 ppb) levels in the red ink compared to the blue (Pb-183.67 ppb; As-<48 ppb) and black (Pb-124.17 ppb; As-132.60 ppb) inks (Figure 4 A-C). Similar studies in humans also indicate heavy metal March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 63
A
B
Figure 3. Rodent tail tattooing equipment
contamination in tattooing inks.8 In our study, tattooing with red ink caused an immediate dermal irritation as indicated by mice biting and scratching their tails, which was not observed when using the blue or black inks. This finding agrees with documentation that states red tattoo ink causes allergenic reactions in humans.8 These effects are possibly caused by mercury and cadmium heavy metals4 and ingredients such as mercuric sulfide or cinnabar.1 However, due to the fact tail tattooing is a single dose exposure into the dermis, there is likely rapid clearance. For this reason, there were no differences in the heavy metal concentrations measured (below the limit of quantification) in the liver or kidneys of mice receiving tattoos compared to controls. This study led to revisions of our rodent tattooing standard operating procedure (SOP). Before tattooing, any equipment that encounters mouse contact is wiped down with 70% ethanol. Tissue oils and ink dispensing bottle tips are wiped with 70% ethanol before use and aseptically dispensed into secondary containers supplied by the tattoo kit vendor. Once the mouse is restrained, the section of the tail to be tattooed is prepped with tissue oil. It is important not to skip this step as the tissue oil softens the skin to receive the ink pigment better. In accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals,7 the use of analgesics is not required during the rodent tattooing procedure. Our revised SOP states that after tattooing, while the tattoo gun is running, fresh 70% ethanol is flushed through the opening of the needle tube barrel continuously until no visible signs of ink pigment is present. Also, with the tattoo gun still running, the needle tube barrel is flushed with sterile saline continually for a few seconds until the ethanol is purged out. Next, the needle tube barrel is wiped with sterile gauze in a downward motion to include the tip of the needle, which will remove any excess saline from the needle. The above-described procedure was modified from our original SOP in which the needle tube barrel was cleaned with ven64 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
C
Figure 4 A-C. Heavy metal levels in tattoo inks: Black (A), Blue (B), Red (C).
dor-supplied machine cleanser, rinse, and drying agents. We eliminated repeat dipping practices by replacing with continuous flushes. With these revisions to our rodent tattooing SOP, more emphasis is now placed on aseptic technique and more effective uniform sanitation procedures for the tattooing equipment in an effort to decrease the likelihood of further bacterial contamination. In summary, there is always a risk of bacterial infections with tattooing due to penetration of the dermis and possible introduction of microbes via tattoo equipment or ink. Heavy metal contaminants in the inks may also contribute to irritation and inflammation at the tattoo site. For these reasons, it is important to know the microbial and chemical content of tattooing equipment and supplies, which can have an impact on the animal health and welfare and study outcome. Acknowledgments: The authors would like to acknowledge Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratories, Inc. for the ICP-MS; Charles River Laboratories for the MALDI-TOF MS; Charles River Laboratories and Mr. Michael Johnston, NIEHS, for the 16S rRNA PCR sequence assays; and Ms. Lois Wyrick and Mr. Steve McCaw, NIEHS, for graphic art assistance.
Travis Young, LAT, is Colony Manager with Alpha Omega at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC. Tanya Whiteside, BS, is a Biologist in the Quality Assurance Lab of the Comparative Medicine Branch at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC. Jacqueline Locklear, DVM, is a Laboratory Animal Veterinarian in the Quality Assurance Lab of the Comparative Medicine Branch at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC.
REFERENCES 1. Anthony F and Harland C. 2003. Dermatological surgery and lasers: red ink tattoo reactions: successful treatment with the Q-switched 532 nm Nd:YAG laser. Br J Dermatol 149:9498. 2. Bäumler W. 2015. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of tattoo colorants and ingredients in mouse and man: the known and the unknown. Curr Probl Dermatol. 48:176-184. 3. Dieckmann R, Boone I, Brockmann S, Hammerl, J, Kolb-Maurer A, Goebeler M, Luch, A, Dahouk S. 2016. The risk of bacterial infection after tattooing. Dtsch Arztebl Int 113:665-71.
4. Eghbali K, Mousavi Z, Ziarati P. 2014. Determination of heavy metals in tattoo ink. Biosci Biotech Res Asia 11(2):941946. 5. Forte G, Petrucci F, Cristaudo A, Bocca B. 2009. Market survey on toxic metals contained in tattoo inks. Sci Total Environ 407:5997-6002. 6. Hogsberg T, Saunte D, Frimodt-Moller N, Serup J. 2013. Microbial status and product labelling of 58 original tattoo inks. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 27:73-80. 7. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research. 1996. Guide for the care and use of laboratory animals, 8th ed. Washington (DC): National Academies Press. 8. Laux P, Tralau T, Tentscher J, Blume A, et al. 2016. A medical-toxicological view of tattooing. Lancet 387: 395-402. 9. Sepehri M, Lerche C, Carlsen K, Serup J. 2017. Search for internal cancers in mice tattooed with inks of high contents of potential carcinogens: a one-year autopsy study of red and black tattoo inks banned in the market. Dermatology 233:9419. 10. Serup J. 2017. Tattoo infections, personal resistance, and contagious exposure through tattooing. Curr Probl Dermatol 52:30-41. 11. Versalovic J, Carroll K, Funke G, et al. 2011. Manual of clinical microbiology, 10th ed. Sterling (VA): American Society for Microbiology
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Across the Pond: New Year, New Opportunities in 2020 By Nicky Windows
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here is plenty to look forward to on this side of the pond over the next couple of months.
The Animal Science and Technology 2020 Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, will be held from March 24-26, 2020. This is the largest conference of its kind. Instead of separate conferences this year, the IAT, LASA, and LAVA are joining forces for the ultimate congress meeting. To learn more about this conference, visit ast2020.org. The final products from the Janet Wood Innovation Award, which closed the end of January, will be available to review and vote for during AST2020. This means some exciting new products will be in the works ready to come on the market from Datesand later this year.
Changes at NC3Rs
The NC3Rs has welcomed Professor Kevin Shakesheff as the new NC3Rs Board Chair. Professor Shakesheff is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Science at the Univer-
sity of Nottingham and is also chair of the university’s animal welfare and ethical review body. At the university, he is a Professor of Advanced Drug Delivery and Tissues Engineering and is also the Director of the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform Hub for Acellular Technologies. In this new role, Professor Shakesheff will be continuing to improve, grow, and shape the current strategy in place while also ensuring that the UK continues to excel in the research and development of 3Rs practices. He replaces Professor Stephen Holgate, CBE, from the University of Southampton as his tenure ends after 6 years with the NC3Rs.
Hurst Recognized as OBE
Professor Jane Hurst of the University of Liverpool has officially been recognized with an Order of the British Empire
Nicky (second from left) and the BioServices team at the Dutch National Congress – BioTechnische Dagen (did you know the Dutch are the tallest nation on Earth?).
66 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
Jane Hurst’s anxiety and aversion refinement device, the Clear Handling Tube for mice.
(OBE) for her work in minimizing anxiety and fear in captive animals. Professor Hurst joined the university in 1998 as the William Prescott Chair of Animal Science and is currently joint head of the Mammalian Behavior and Evolution Group. For the past 10 years, Hurst has taken part in essential research that has directly helped to ensure improvement in animal welfare. The initial research was funded by BBSRC and the NC3Rs. Through this, she was able to show that anxiety and aversion in mice can be minimized using other handling techniques like cupping or tunnel handling rather than tail handling. Hurst was also awarded the 2019 Swiss Laboratory Animal Science Association Prize in Refinement for her work.
Recap of 2019
There were several conferences and events at the end of 2019, all varying in size with unique agendas. In October, the NC3Rs/IAT Technicians Meeting, an annual event hosted by
the National Centre for the 3Rs and the Institute of Animal Technology, was hosted in London and hosted an array of presentations, posters, and networking opportunities for attendees. Dr. Helen Gray of the University of Leeds provided a fresh insight into assessing the needs of animals with the presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence to Improve Animal Welfare.” The study aimed to detect welfare issues of commercially farmed pigs using low-cost 2D cameras along with a custom-built algorithm that would measure and assess normal movement patterns. The best poster award was given to Nicola Cook from Fera Science. Her poster introduced refinements and changes in husbandry to minimize aggression in CAX mice. During November and December, over 40 workshops, meetings, and events were held in Europe. Though meetings such as these are significantly smaller than the AALAS National Meeting, they offer opportunities to network and for vendors to showcase products and services. In late November, the UK also had the annual Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) meeting. LASA was held in Birmingham and hosted 50 exhibitors and approximately 450 attendees. Opening session keynote speaker, Professor Elizabeth Fisher of University College London, presented “Humanizing Mouse Models to Understand Neurodegeneration.” Closing speaker, Professor Michael R. F. Lee of University of Bristol & Rothamsted presented, “Research on Agricultural Sustainability Metrics Based on Land Required for Production of Essential Human Nutrients.” Look for more from the world of European life sciences in future issues of LAS Pro. Nicky Windows is the Global Commercial Manager at Datesand in Manchester, United Kingdom.
Datesand exhibited at the United Kingdom's LASA Winter Meeting in 2019.
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 67
AALAS Foundation Launches the Public Outreach & Education Award
In 2019, the AALAS Foundation announced a new branch recognition award. The Public Outreach & Education (POE) Award recognizes public outreach efforts conducted by branches during the time frame of September 1 through August 31. The first winner, the Research Triangle Branch, was announced at the AALAS Foundation Appreciation Reception at the 2019 AALAS National Meeting in Denver, CO. RTB received a $100 gift card for their outreach efforts. Branches that want to apply for the POE Award should complete an official POE submission form, which can be found on the AALAS Foundation website, https://www.aalasfoundation.org/outreach/ Branch-POE-Award. A form should be completed for each outreach event or activity conducted throughout the year. It is recommended that forms be submitted immediately after the events take place. The deadline to submit for consideration is September 1. The next award will be presented at the 2020 AALAS National Meeting in Charlotte, NC at the AALAS Foundation Reception on October 28, 2020. The AALAS Foundation Branch Committee will make its decision based on the photos and articles submitted that explain the public outreach events, activities, and resources used. Branches hold a variety of public outreach and education events during the year, including school fairs, community STEM days, and even BRAD. The POE award provides an opportunity to share the creative ways branches are connecting with the public and highlight how branch members educate people on the importance of biomedical research. During the first year, the AALAS Foundation received submissions from 7 branches representing 20 events. The Branch Committee hopes to double or triple submissions for 2020. AALAS branch leaders are encouraged to take advantage of the free and/or low-cost materials provided by the AALAS Foundation to enhance outreach activities. Order these materials from the AALAS online bookstore or contact foundation@aalas.org for more information.
Louisiana Branch was one of the 7 branches competing for the 2019 POE Award.
The Research Triangle Branch, the 2019 POE Award winner, held an outreach event last summer at a science camp.
New Jersey Branch held an outreach event in Belvidere.
68 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
AALAS CONNECTION
AALAS Welcomes Four New Staff Members
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ALAS has welcomed some new staff members in the last few months. Join us in welcoming the recent additions to the Professional Services, Communications/Business Development, and the AALAS Foundation teams.
Amber Davenport, Professional Services Specialist, joined AALAS after working as a manager at a dog boarding and grooming facility. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, she has a BA in Psychology. She in an avid reader and in her spare time she likes to hang out with her 6 companion animals. She has 3 cats, a German Shepherd pup, a cattle/ shepherd mix, and a pocket pit mix. Amber shared that she and her boyfriend like to take the pups with them when they can to dog parks and on hikes. Her favorite sport is MMA and her boyfriend is a fighter. Amber likes to travel and hopes to someday return to Bamberg, Germany, where she was born. Amber said she is looking forward to learning more about the National Meeting and is excited to experience how the meeting impacts our members.
New AALAS Foundation Administrative Assistant, Brandy Kahaloa-Busby, is looking forward to learning more how the Foundation educates the community about laboratory animal science. After spending the last 21 years working as a program manager in the supply chain and logistics field, she is enjoying this part-time role in order to spend more time with her family. Brandy also has a business growing and selling hydroponic produce such as microgreens, lettuces, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Stacie Townsend is also a Professional Services Specialist and came to AALAS from a consulting firm that managed a leave of absence program for a major airline. Her background in customer service and quality assurance are being put to great use in her new position. Stacie enjoys making art in her free time and right now she is focusing on nail art, specifically luxury press-on nails. She is also an avid podcast listener. Stacie often gets questions about her eyes. She was born lacking vision on her right eye but notes that it hasn’t stopped her from reaching her goals. She did share that it can make it easy for people to sneak up on her though! Zara Garza joined the Communications and Business Development Department right before the National Meeting in Denver. A graduate of the Memphis College of Art, Zara is now doing graphic design for AALAS. She’s excited to use her design degree to help each department express their messages in creative and eye-catching displays. She is a gamer at heart, but when she’s not in front of a screen, she likes to take her two dogs for walks and work on sketches and paintings inspired by nature. A native of Dallas, TX, Zara also enjoys traveling. In 2013, she was able to spend a week in Rome enjoying the art and architecture of that ancient city.
From left to right: Brandy Busby, Amber Davenport, Stacie Townsend, and Zara Garza
March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 69
AALAS CONNECTION
Planning Your Training Program for this Spring?
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onsider AALAS Technician Training Shorts to help extend your training program! Use the new Technician Training Short “Compassion Fatigue: The Cost of Caring,” presented by Matthew Rosenbaum, DVM, MS, DACLAM and Temeri WilderKofie, DVM, MPH, DACLAM. This TTS will train staff on what compassion fatigue means, how it affects everyone and their work, the risk factors of compassion fatigue, the signs that they might be experiencing compassion fatigue, and ways to cope or manage compassion fatigue in the workplace and at home. The first three Technician Training Shorts focus on safety topics that are important for technicians. “Lifting Safety”, “Cart Moving Safety”, and “Repetitive Job Safety: Small Animal Care” are presented by Terry Snyder, BSBME, MBA. These tasks are much of what many husbandry technicians do day after day, and related injuries are very common in our field. A survey of 6 vivariums reported that 87% of animal care technicians experienced work-related pain and discomfort. Avoid these injuries in your staff by providing basic ergonomic training on common tasks with these TTS. Encourage them to use these principles daily. Each TTS has a quiz and a game or a discussion activity to help technicians process the concepts presented in the 10 to 15-minute recording of the presentation. Either or both exercises can be used immediately after the presentation or scheduled for a later time to review and reinforce the concepts taught in the TTS. Individuals who view the recording and participate in the exercise may apply their training time for CEUs for the Technician Certification Registry or CMAR recertification. Visit the AALAS Store and plan a training session today!
70 Laboratory Animal Science Professional March 2020
ALAT #2
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T O X S 3 O B U C K 4 5 B P S T 8 6 7 L A M U S M U S C U L U S 10 N P B L O C A N 13 11 12 E P E I N I A C U C S O M O R N G U H M 15 16 O S C I E T X E N O P U S L A E B M I I U C V B T G 17 E T L A A R E O F O U R T M O O L N E N 18 19 S S E D E B U D D I T E M P E R A T U R E 20 R T Y I D I H 21 R I N S T I T U T I O N A L O F F I C I A 22 O V I S A R I E S N I 23 C P I N I O N I N G R 24 F O M I T E S L O 25 W E T H E R S S 2
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Crossword Answers
LAS PRO 's
PET TALK Gorgeous George
This adorable 4-year-old Cockapoo goes by the nicknames Gorgeous George or the Ginger Prince! George is the Datesand office pooch/mascot. He is very mischievous, and when he is around, everyone knows to put their bags safely away. He has been known to eat a purse or two if people’s sandwiches aren’t available. He grabs whatever is out and makes a run for it. Hopes are high that with him turning 4, he will be a bit more sensible. Speaking of being sensible, he had to be bribed away from herding a field of sheep. His humans were shouting, “George, TREATS!” He liked that bribe. When he’s not stirring up trouble, George enjoys cuddles from his human sisters, sausages, runs, and opportunities to sleep at the foot of the bed.
Princess Saphira
Saphira is an 8-year-old Blue Bully American Pit Bull Terrier. This high-energy girl keeps her owner, Alicia, on her toes. As a puppy, the first time she was left home alone, she chewed the molding off from around the front door and then chewed into the adjacent wall. Between the drywall and her saliva, a white paste was soon tracked all through the house, on the furniture, and everywhere Saphira’s paws carried her. She also enjoys chewing the stuffing out of stuffed animals and prefers those to any Kong toys Alicia provides. She loves to have her picture taken and likes to look at herself in the mirror. Alicia notes that Saphira would give movie-famous Marley a run for his money when it comes to being mischievous!
PET TALK
Be a part of LAS Pro's column this year! Email us a photo of you with your pet and we will put you in the running for a spot in one of our upcoming issues.
Contact us at laspro@aalas.org. March 2020 Laboratory Animal Science Professional 71
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