Development of novel mechanisms for housing, handling, and remote monitoring of common marmosets at animal biosafety level 3

Pathog Dis. 2014 Jul;71(2):219-26. doi: 10.1111/2049-632X.12140. Epub 2014 Feb 24.

Abstract

The use of common marmosets as an alternative non-human primate model for infectious disease research using BSL-3 viruses such as Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) presents unique challenges with respect to housing, handling, and safety. Subject matter experts from veterinary care, animal husbandry, biosafety, engineering, and research were consulted to design a pilot experiment using marmosets infected with RVFV. This paper reviews the caging, handling, and safety-related adaptations and modifications that were required to humanely utilize marmosets as a model for high-hazard BSL-3 viral diseases.

Keywords: Regional Biocontainment Laboratory; Rift Valley fever virus; biosafety level 3; radiotelemetry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Experimentation*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Laboratory*
  • Biomedical Research / methods
  • Callithrix / physiology*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods*
  • Containment of Biohazards*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Housing, Animal
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Occupational Health
  • Rift Valley Fever / diagnosis*
  • Rift Valley Fever / therapy*