To meet a variety of research requirements, Taconic produces mice and rats at multiple health standards that range from the most stringent health standard, Germ Free (GF), to Murine Pathogen Free™ (MPF) where a select list of opportunistic bacteria are tolerated. The husbandry methods utilized to meet these standards similarily vary in their levels of biosecurity which have a direct impact on the health testing program.
Husbandry Methods
| Health Standard | Housing and Caging Type Employed | Cage Maintenance Practices | Level at Which the Microbiological Unit is Defined | Staff Personal Protective Equipment | Material Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murine Pathogen Free™ (MPF™) | Primarily barriers with open top cages; some isolators | No disinfection between cages in order to maximize agent spread | At the building and/or room or isolator | Minimally a standard uniform including sterilized jumpsuit, mask, footwear and gloves | Supplies are steam sterilized, irradiated or treated with chlorine dioxide |
| Murine Pathogen Free™ (MPF™) | Barriers with Individually Ventilated Cages (IVCs) | Disinfection between handling cages to minimize agent spread | One level at the building and/or room and a second level at the cage | Minimally a standard uniform including scrubs or jumpsuit, surgical mask, hair bonnet, footwear and gloves | Supplies are steam sterilized, irradiated or treated with chlorine dioxide |
| Restricted Flora™ (RF™) | Barriers with static filter top cages (very limited production at this method) | Disinfection between handling cages to minimize agent spread | One level at the building and/or room and a second level at the cage | Employees don sterile uniforms that completely cover the employee with use of a powered air purifying respirator or surgical mask | Supplies are steam sterilized, irradiated or treated with chlorine dioxide |
| Restricted Flora™ (RF™), Opportunist Free™ (OF™) | Barriers with Individually Ventilated Cages (IVCs) | Disinfection between handling cages to minimize agent spread, laminar flow cabinet use | One level at the building and/or room and a second level at the cage | Employees don sterile uniforms that completely cover the employee with use of a powered air purifying respirator | Supplies are steam sterilized, irradiated or treated with chlorine dioxide |
| Defined Flora (DF) | Gnotobiotic flexible film isolator with open top cages | No disinfection between cages in order to maximize agent spread | At the isolator | Handled only through isolator gloves | All materials steam sterilized |
| Germ-Free (GF) | Gnotobiotic flexible film isolator with open top cages | No disinfection between cages in order to maximize agent spread | At the isolator | Handled only through isolator gloves | All materials steam sterilized |