title: Auditing laboratory rodent biosecurity programs.
abstract: A rodent biosecurity program that includes periodic evaluation of procedures used in an institution's vivarium can be used to ensure that best practices are in place to prevent a microbial pathogen outbreak. As a result of an ongoing comprehensive biosecurity review within their North American and European production facilities, the authors developed a novel biosecurity auditing process and worksheet that could be useful in other animal care and use operations. The authors encourage other institutions to consider initiating similar audits of their biosecurity programs to protect the health of their laboratory animals.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Medicine, Research Models and Services, Harlan Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Mandy J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: Dale M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Hilton J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D003264:Containment of Biohazards / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats