Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

Allentown, LLC

Thomas P Schupsky

John Coiro

Brian M Bilecki

Kenneth S Henderson

Brian Bilecki

John M Coiro

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for collection and analysis of environmental air dust (EAD) within an individually ventilated cage rack (IVR) environment for detecting pathogens. The method includes collection of an EAD sample by a collection media, isolation of a plurality of nucleic acids (e.g., RNA and/or DNA) representative of one or more infectious agents from the EAD sample, optional reverse transcription of RNA to cDNA if the isolated nucleic acids contain RNA, amplification of the cDNA and/or DNA (e.g., by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)), and assay interpretation. Optionally, the EAD sample may be analyzed with one or more other sample types (e.g., fecal pellets, oral swabs, body swabs, tissue, etc.) to improve detection of low-copy organisms.

Detection of infectious agents from environmental air dust

A method and system for monitoring conditions of a rack of animal cages. An animal caging system including a plurality of animal cages removably connected to an exhaust. Collection media is removably mounted in an exhaust plenum of the rack using a holder. Exhaust air dust clings to the collection media as exhaust from the animal cages flows along the length of the collection media. A door to the exhaust plenum can be opened and the collection media can be removed from the holder.

Method and system for monitoring air flow impurity

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Cream Ridge, NJ, United States of America

Thomas P Schupsky