Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 4. Medical Imaging Procedures

Summary

Here, we present an overview of the preparation and animal handling procedures required to safely perform medical imaging in an animal biosafety level 4 laboratory. Computed tomography of a mock-infected guinea pig illustrates these procedures that may be used to evaluate the disease caused by a high consequence pathogen.

Abstract

Medical imaging using animal models for human diseases has been utilized for decades; however, until recently, medical imaging of diseases induced by high-consequence pathogens has not been possible. In 2014, the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick opened an Animal Biosafety Level 4 (ABSL-4) facility to assess the clinical course and pathology of infectious diseases in experimentally infected animals. Multiple imaging modalities including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and single photon emission computed tomography are available to researchers for these evaluations. The focus of this article is to describe the workflow for safely obtaining a CT image of a live guinea pig in an ABSL-4 facility. These procedures include animal handling, anesthesia, and preparing and monitoring the animal until recovery from sedation. We will also discuss preparing the imaging equipment, performing quality checks, communication methods from "hot side" (containing pathogens) to "cold side," and moving the animal from the holding room to the imaging suite.

Introduction

The mission of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick in Frederick MD (IRF-Frederick) is to perform emerging infectious disease research to understand the clinical disease processes that correlate with the severity of microbial-induced disease. The IRF-Frederick has a unique capability to perform medical imaging in animal models of high-consequence pathogens in an ABSL-4 laboratory¹. The imaging modalities available to investigators include: computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon computed tomography (SPECT), ultrasou....

Protocol

This protocol adheres to the following animal care guidelines. Animals were housed in a facility accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. All experimental procedures were approved by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Clinical Research, Animal Care and Use Committee and were in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act regulations, Public Health Service policy, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommendations.

1. Prepare CT Scanner (on "Cold Side")

1. Condition the X-Ray Tube
   1. Verify th....

Results

Strict adherence to all safety procedures and standard operating procedures for animal handling is essential for working safely in an ABSL-4 laboratory. Transferring infected animals within the induction box from the animal procedure room to the imaging suite minimizes the risk of contamination of common corridors. By following the procedures required, no laboratory-acquired infections or cross-contamination of animal subjects has been recorded while conducting ABSL-4 research at the IRF-.......

Discussion

Previous articles in this series have emphasized the extensive training, attention to detail, safety procedures, and additional engineering controls required to work safely in a maximum containment laboratory^12,13. Performing work safely is the highest priority in these laboratories. This philosophy is even more important when working with live animals due to additional hazards such as the potential for infected animals to inflict bites or scratches or to generate aerosols⁷. These procedures emphasi.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Micro-Chem Plus	National Chemical Laboratories	255
CT scanner	Philips Healthcare
CT phantom	Philips Healthcare
Isovue-300 (CT contrast reagent)	Bracco Diagnostics	NDC 0270-1315-30
Ventilated rack	Lab Products
Micro-isolator cage	Lab Products
Biosafety cabinet	Nuaire
Anesthesia machine	SurgiVet	WWV9000
Anesthesia induction box	VetEquip
Anesthesia mask	Henry Schein
Isoflurane	Henry Schein
Waste gas scavenging canister	Fisher	F/AIR
Holding cushion
Ophthalmic ointment
Vital signs monitor	Bionet	BM3Vet
Mobile phone	Spectralink	8440
Blue Tooth ear piece
Wireless access points
Sperian positive-pressure suit	Honeywell Safety Products	BSL 4-2
Outer suit gloves (latex, Ansell Canners and Handlers)	Fisher	19-019-601
Outer suit gloves (nitrile/rubber, MAPA)	Fisher	2MYU1
Scrubs	Cintas	60975/60976
Socks	Cintas	944
Duct tape	Pack-N-Tape	51131069695
Towels	Cintas	2720
Zip lube	Amazon	B000GKBEJA