Do we still need a canary in the coal mine for laboratory animal facilities? A systematic review of environmental health monitoring versus soiled bedding sentinels.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Despite increasing evidence that Environmental Health Monitoring (EHM) is an effective method to perform rodent colony health surveillance, promotes the 3Rs as a Replacement, is comparable or reduces cost, and demonstrates labor benefits, many research institutions continue to use live Soiled Bedding Sentinels (SBS). Some veterinarians and others responsible for rodent colony health monitoring remain cautious of the evidence supporting this new technology. Therefore, our objective was to perform a formal systematic review to identify, summarize, and evaluate the research on the efficacy of EHM as compared to SBS. This information is essential to establishing recommendations for rodent health monitoring programs.

Methods

We systematically searched and evaluated a

SUBMITTER: LaFollette MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11620448 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature