PCR Infectious Agent Testing
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is an enzymatic amplification of a targeted nucleic acid sequence. It is so sensitive that it can detect as little as a single copy of the target sequence for a particular infectious agent under optimal conditions. PCR has served as a good building block for current methods for detecting infectious agents. Since the introduction of TaqMan® PCR Technology in the late 1990s, Charles River has helped establish its use as the industry standard for testing to identify viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic agents in your animal colonies.
Our PRIA® panels enable you to monitor large numbers of agents from a single sample source. Services are available for screening colony animals directly, for screening indirectly via environmental sampling, for exhaust air dust (EAD™) testing, or PathogenBinder®, as well as screening cell lines and research biologics.
PCR assays are available as panels that cover all commonly excluded or reported pathogens. Panel customization and single-agent testing are also available.
A Guide to Modern Strategies for Infection Surveillance of Rodent Populations: Beyond Sentinels
This guide highlights infection surveillance for rodent populations, provides a brief overview of agents to consider for a program, and offers recommendations for selecting assays. Download Now
Sampling Methods for PCR Testing
Viruses, bacteria, and parasites can all be detected using any of the sample collection methods below.
| Sampling Method | Sample Type | Caging System Examples |
| Direct Animal Samples | Fecal pellets, body/fur swab, and/or oral swabs from colony animals (pooled by type from up to ten animals/cages) | Any, recommended for quarantines |
| Exhaust Air Dust (EAD) | Filter collection media (e.g., Allentown Sentinel, Tecniplast Interceptor) or exhaust plenum or plenum/hose/filter swabs | IVC racks without filtration of exhaust air (e.g., Allentown, Tecniplast, Alternative Design) |
| PathogenBinder | PathogenBinder contact media | Any, including static microisolator caging and IVC racks with cage-level filtration |
PRIA Panels – Direct Animal, EAD, PathogenBinder
- Mouse
- Rat
- Rabbit
- Gerbil
- Hamster
- Guinea pig
- Non-human primate
- Zebrafish
- Ferret
- Xenopus
- Exotic and wild-caught species
PathogenBinder: Setting the Standard for Sentinel-Free Health Monitoring and Quarantine
This webinar will show you how the PathogenBinder system can help your lab facilitate faster quarantine and improve pathogen detection by PCR. Watch on Demand
An Easier Way to Submit Your Samples
Our Laboratory Testing Management® (LTM) platform can help streamline sample submission, result reporting, and tracking – all from one convenient place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lab Animal Infectious Agent Testing
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When is lab animal infectious agent testing used?
Common applications for rodent infectious agent testing include:
- Outbreak investigation
- Alternative health monitoring
- Cell line and research biologics screening
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What is the prevalence of infectious agents in laboratory mice and rats?
Periodic health screening of laboratory animals is essential for detecting unwanted infections and their consequences. The risk of infection for any given agent is its prevalence; other factors being equal, a prevalent agent is more likely than a rare one to be introduced to a research facility and result in infection. Read the whitepaper, Contemporary Prevalence of Infectious Agents in Mice and Rats to learn more.
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When can I use PRIA testing?
PRIA panels can be used in various ways to improve quarantine or routine screening of any lab animal facility. Success hinges on selecting the appropriate PRIA panels while considering your institution’s infectious agent exclusion list.
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What is the difference in cost between sample types?
The cost is the same regardless of which sample type submitted. Pricing is based on the number of agents per PRIA panel. Sample collection supplies for our diagnostic testing services, are provided at no charge and may be ordered from LTM supplies.