What does the presence of mycoplasma in rats indicate? - briefly
The detection of mycoplasma in a rat colony signals microbial contamination that can compromise animal health and invalidate experimental data. It also suggests the need for decontamination measures and routine screening to maintain laboratory integrity.
What does the presence of mycoplasma in rats indicate? - in detail
The detection of mycoplasma in laboratory rats signals a breach in microbiological quality control. Mycoplasma are cell‑wall‑less bacteria capable of colonising respiratory, urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts without causing overt disease, yet they can alter host physiology and experimental outcomes.
Key implications include:
- Compromised immunological data – Mycoplasma modulate cytokine production, skewing immune‑response assays and vaccine efficacy studies.
- Distorted metabolic measurements – Infection interferes with glucose metabolism, lipid profiles and hormone levels, leading to inaccurate pharmacokinetic and toxicology results.
- Interference with cell‑culture contamination – Rats serving as tissue donors may transmit mycoplasma to primary cell cultures, jeopardising downstream experiments.
- Reduced reproducibility – Variable mycoplasma loads create inconsistencies across study cohorts, undermining statistical power and cross‑laboratory comparisons.
- Animal‑health concerns – Subclinical infections can progress to respiratory distress or reproductive failure under stress, affecting welfare and study timelines.
Regulatory frameworks typically require routine screening of rodent colonies. Positive findings necessitate quarantine, eradication protocols (e.g., antibiotic treatment, rederivation by embryo transfer) and validation of a mycoplasma‑free status before resuming research activities. Continuous monitoring and strict barrier practices remain essential to prevent re‑introduction.