What is mouse disinfection called? - briefly
The procedure is commonly termed rodent decontamination, often called mouse sterilization when applied to laboratory animals. It involves applying approved disinfectants to eliminate pathogens from the animal’s exterior.
What is mouse disinfection called? - in detail
The procedure for eliminating microorganisms from laboratory mice is commonly referred to as murine decontamination. In practice, it encompasses several distinct steps:
- Surface sterilization of cages, bedding, and equipment using chemical agents such as quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine‐based disinfectants, or peracetic acid.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) for handlers to prevent cross‑contamination, including gloves, gowns, and masks.
- Animal‑level treatment with topical antiseptics (e.g., povidone‑iodine) or systemic antibiotics when required by a specific pathogen‑clearance protocol.
- Environmental control through air filtration (HEPA) and regular cleaning schedules to maintain a pathogen‑free facility.
Regulatory guidelines (e.g., AAALAC, NIH) define murine decontamination as a validated process that must achieve a predefined reduction in microbial load, often expressed as a log‑reduction factor. Validation includes routine microbiological monitoring, such as sentinel animal testing and environmental swabs, to confirm the effectiveness of the disinfection regimen.
The term distinguishes the overall strategy from simple “cleaning”; it implies a systematic, documented approach designed to eradicate bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic contaminants from both the animals and their surroundings.