coordina6on, quality manual/system, animal registra6on &
HOC 1 – Lab animal facilities & protocols management sogware, GFAN share and reforma6on cycle.
1. ANIM Transport: includes loading, unloading and storage during
Anim = core facility; oversees care and management of all stopovers. All transport that does not fall under non-
animals used in transla6onal research and educa6on at VUB. commercial is commercial. Veterinarian needs to decide
whether animals are suited for transport.
à manages central animal facili6es on campus Je>e and
E>erbeek, supervises satellite animalaria and animals located in Means of transport: road or rail vehicle, vessel or aircrag used
recognized companies or ins6tu6ons with which the VUB has a for transport of animals.
contractual agreement.
Satellite = any laboratory that houses animals for a period
2. Facility management
longer than 24h, outside the actual animal facility.
Layering of service offerings ANIM: animal housing > health
ANIM coordinates quality assurance, computeriza6on and
screening & environmental control > registra6on &
administra6ve follow-up for recognized users, managing
administra6on > user services > expert/veterinarian &
contacts with Brussels Environment and collec6ng necessary
trimestral controls.
data. It supervises training and cer6fica6on of personnel, by
which it organizes training cycles in collabora6on with AWB and Flows:
EC. It is responsible for drawing up regula6ons, procedures and
× Dirty/clean materials and cages (strict separa6on necessary /
user manuals to ensure the quality opera6on of facili6es in
detailed procedures required)
accordance with applicable legisla6on.
× Staff (animal keepers / researchers)
Hopes to obtain AAACLAC quality label for animal facili6es. × Animals (depending on health status: SOPF, SPF, quaran6ne)
× Air exchanges (8-15 cycles/hrs)
Adhere to legal requirements for animal use and welfare,
× Pressure control (under / over pressure)
applying EU and interna6onal legisla6on and quality standards.
They support the applica6on of the principle of the 3R’s + SPF (specific pathogen free) and SOPF (specific opportunis6c
addi6onal R’s à replacement, reduc6on, refinement + pathogen free) require:
rehabilita6on, respect and responsibility.
× Op6mal layout
Governance structure: academic responsible followed by × Only IVC (individually ven6lated) cages
quality manager, central secretary and veterinarian department × Changing sta6ons with laminar air flow
head with animal care takers. × Sas: pass through box and decontamina6on lock; to pass cells,
Works together with ethical commi>ee on animal experiments, cell lines and materials
the animal welfare body and an external veterinarian. × Gowning & procedures: strict procedures for quality system,
access with badge or with biometrics, common use, lockers for
User commi>ee = LA-comité: consulta6ve body with all holders clothing & personal items, autoclaved materials, mouth mask
of recogni6on (LA directors) à has academic director (chair) and hairnet, shower / toilet and air shower (more hygienic
and chairpersons of ECD and DWC. than wet shower and minimizes dragging out of hazardous
substances and allergens from controlled environment)
GFAN (1976): provides hotel func6on on campus Je>e (14
research groups + 4 satellites), experimental animal SPF à experimental department
expert/veterinarian support, central registra6on/distribu6on of
medica6on/anesthesia and support for recogni6on of animal SOPF à breeding and immunodeficient animals housed; needs
research and communica6on. a 2nd dressing procedure.
Addi6onal services (2018): hotel func6on on campus E>erbeek,
external expert quarterly audits, health screening, breeding
1
,3. Education levels & legal requirements HOC 2.1 – Health monitoring
Use of animals for experiments in Belgium requires specific 1. Health monitoring
licenses and is organized under relevant legisla6on.
Health screening = periodical control for presence of a list of
Educa6on levels and legal requirements for personnel are micro-organisms.
defined by the Royal Decree of 29.05.13 Protec6on Animals.
Guidelines: most used are SPF FELASA-list, but addi6onal agents
× Animal caretaker: provides basic care; cleaning disinfec6ng may be tested depending on the research being performed.
rooms, cages and containers; providing li>er, water and food; Typically done every 3-4 months, with extensive annual report
transport of animals; manipula6ng animals in performing and quarterly reports focusing on pathogens with a higher
these tasks (4hrs of training) prevalence, such as MNV. Always look at the last 12-18 months
× Animal caretakes responsible for special care: ac6vely of reports, as pathogens might not be detected in every single
par6cipate in experiments; appropriate prepara6on for tes6ng; report, doesn’t mean they are absent.
rou6nely providing necessary animal welfare concerns to all
animals; control of op6mal environment; competent SOPF list has 40 different pathogens and SPF list is used in
assistance with euthanasia of all types of laboratory animals general to scan animals in IC zone where experiments take place.
(Las1 & 2; cer6ficate B; 25-40hrs)
Sen6nel animals: used for monitoring; outbred strain that is
× Test leader (Las3; cer6ficate C; 80hrs) suscep6ble to most tested pathogens and develops a normal
In Belgium, recogni6on of laboratory necessary for ins6tutes immune response.
performing animal experiments and breeders. Direct contact: sen6nel animal has direct contact with colony
à LA1 and LA2 animals to facilitate be>er transfer of pathogens, but risk that
Changes in Brussels Cap6al Region legisla6on in 2019 and 2022 sen6nel could bring pathogens into colony.
à leefmilieu Brussels can stop or redraw experiments approved Indirect contact: sen6nels are exposed to dirty bedding from
by local ethical commi>ees. A new standardized form for ethical different cages placed into the sen6nel cages. Some pathogens
approval was introduced in 2021, although some parts are s6ll don’t easily transfer via bedding. Lower chance of impor6ng
unclear or not in place. pathogens through the sen6nel as there is no direct contact.
It is recommended to pursue a culture of care at all levels Refinement: membranes are installed within the exhaust
(management, hierarchy, researchers, animal contracts). The airflow to capture DNA/RNA of pathogens, reducing or
EU commi>ee endorsed this recommenda6on. elimina6ng the need for sen6nel animals à be>er system as it
Some EU commissioners advocate for a culture of challenge, would take pathogens up much faster.
where animal tes6ng is not automa6c but repeatedly Serology on sen6nels detects an6bodies, indica6ng past
ques6oned. infec6ons. PCR is mostly used for ac6ve infec6ons (more
VUB singed the “statement in support of animal research” in sensi6ve) and culture defini6vely detects ac6ve infec6ons. They
2019, commipng to more openness and balances, correct use at least 3 different methods to test samples from sen6nel.
communica6on about animal tes6ng. Environmental monitoring: swabbing every spot in a lab or
EARA (European animal research associa6on) strives for more animal room is not always efficient; more difficult with open
openness and transparency, and VUB is a member. cages. Effec6ve methods include swabbing the exhaust duct of
or tes6ng a piece of the exhaust filter from IVC rack à exhaust
Culture of challenge becomes/is the guideline for animal tes6ng air collects par6cles, which are trapped in the filter. PCR is ogen
for the future; very good accountability regarding the necessity used but finding something in the exhaust doesn’t guarantee
of experiments with / on animals will be required with focus on it’s currently present in the rack.
the 3 + 2 R’s.
Direct detec6on techniques: detect the pathogen itself in
animals or material; includes isola6on and growth (bacterial
en6ng of swab), histology, and PCR (detec6ng DNA/RNA). MAP
(mouse an6body produc6on-test) for viral contaminants in cell
lines is no longer done.
2
, Indirect detec6on techniques: detect the animal’s response 3. Barrier facilities
(an6bodies); done via serology using techniques like ELISA or
Facili6es with different health statuses and biosafety levels
IFA à 6ming is important for serology results.
require working from cleanest to dir6est and from the lowest
Posi6ve result: pathogen definitely present à eradica6on if BSL to the highest BSL. Quaran6ne measures must always be
possible, treatment or quaran6ne. considered.
Nega6ve result: pathogen might be present and can be missed Different barrier systems are used to control the environment
à importance of reviewing a yearly overview of reports. and prevent contamina6on.
Closed system quaran6ne: used for imported animals that may
have a different health status to prevent direct or indirect
2. Sources of contamination contact; animals housed in filtertop or IVC cages; dedicated
Contamina6on = transmission of pathogens, which doesn’t room or separate part of facility which personnel can’t re-enter
necessarily lead to illness; is not per se infec6on. any other room for 48hrs; room operates under nega6ve
pressure; monitoring performed but no exclusion list.
à posi6ve result could mean that an infec6on was present.
Open system (conven6onal): open cages; no direct contact but
Sick animals within the colony are a source. Imported animals dust par6cles and aerosols with micro-organisms can float
require checking health reports and preven6ve measures, around; allergens are freely in the room; disease spreads easily
which are stricter in breeding colonies than experimental and higher risk of contamina6on if wild animals enter; more
colonies due to long-term maintenance and higher dust present which affects health of caretakers and researchers;
handling/people interac6on in experimental sepngs. Dedicated under normal or nega6ve pressure; monitoring for specific
‘breeder-rooms’ are a solu6on. pathogens.
For new animals, health reports indicate the status for known SOPF/SPF: prevent introduc6on of pathogens; disinfec6on of
pathogens; “weten is meten” means absence is only confirmed material, food and water, changing personnel clothing; HEPA-
if tested for. Quaran6ne is necessary for imported animals filtered air and pressure differences; under posi6ve pressure
depending on their health status, especially considering carrier (air sucked into room); HEPA-filtered air enters the cage and air
states and seroconversion (14-28 days). Clinical examina6on is plus dust/par6cles leave through a microbial filter;
important, especially for larger animals. environmental air cannot enter the cabinet, only filtered air
Other animals: wild rodents can enter facili6es and contaminate inside.
the colony with known or unknown pathogens, which can have Germfree/gnotobio6c: an isolator provides a completely sealed
devasta6ng effects depending on research. Pets (esp. those animal housing space; protec6on of animal from environment;
requiring rodents/snakes as feed) and insects can be sources. steriliza6on of materials, food, bedding and water; complete
Humans are an important source, ac6ng as zoonosis carriers or regowning of personnel; under posi6ve pressure.
vectors (ex. Salmonella, TBC, campylobacter jejuni, …).
Preven6ve measures include strict hygiene, personal protec6ve
HOC 2.2 – Animal models
equipment (PPE) which protects both ways. Quaran6ne for
personnel (24-48hrs) ager visi6ng other facili6es and working 1. Introduction
from clean to dirty areas are also important. Dedicated
Animal models are a founda6on for understanding disease
personnel for breeding is not always feasible or necessary.
pathophysiology and are crucial for medical inves6ga6on. They
Micro-organisms: ‘free-living’ organisms like clostridium tetani have helped in developing surgical techniques, vaccines and
are not ogen seen, but biofilm is always a danger. an6bio6cs and they are also used to study the molecular basis
of disease.
Materials: feed and bedding can contain rodents and insects.
Drinking water can be contaminated with pseudomonas Key concerns are animal welfare, the validity of the models and
aeruginosa. Cages and instruments are also poten6al sources. the applicability of their outcomes.
Analogy: similar structure implies similar func6on.
3
HOC 1 – Lab animal facilities & protocols management sogware, GFAN share and reforma6on cycle.
1. ANIM Transport: includes loading, unloading and storage during
Anim = core facility; oversees care and management of all stopovers. All transport that does not fall under non-
animals used in transla6onal research and educa6on at VUB. commercial is commercial. Veterinarian needs to decide
whether animals are suited for transport.
à manages central animal facili6es on campus Je>e and
E>erbeek, supervises satellite animalaria and animals located in Means of transport: road or rail vehicle, vessel or aircrag used
recognized companies or ins6tu6ons with which the VUB has a for transport of animals.
contractual agreement.
Satellite = any laboratory that houses animals for a period
2. Facility management
longer than 24h, outside the actual animal facility.
Layering of service offerings ANIM: animal housing > health
ANIM coordinates quality assurance, computeriza6on and
screening & environmental control > registra6on &
administra6ve follow-up for recognized users, managing
administra6on > user services > expert/veterinarian &
contacts with Brussels Environment and collec6ng necessary
trimestral controls.
data. It supervises training and cer6fica6on of personnel, by
which it organizes training cycles in collabora6on with AWB and Flows:
EC. It is responsible for drawing up regula6ons, procedures and
× Dirty/clean materials and cages (strict separa6on necessary /
user manuals to ensure the quality opera6on of facili6es in
detailed procedures required)
accordance with applicable legisla6on.
× Staff (animal keepers / researchers)
Hopes to obtain AAACLAC quality label for animal facili6es. × Animals (depending on health status: SOPF, SPF, quaran6ne)
× Air exchanges (8-15 cycles/hrs)
Adhere to legal requirements for animal use and welfare,
× Pressure control (under / over pressure)
applying EU and interna6onal legisla6on and quality standards.
They support the applica6on of the principle of the 3R’s + SPF (specific pathogen free) and SOPF (specific opportunis6c
addi6onal R’s à replacement, reduc6on, refinement + pathogen free) require:
rehabilita6on, respect and responsibility.
× Op6mal layout
Governance structure: academic responsible followed by × Only IVC (individually ven6lated) cages
quality manager, central secretary and veterinarian department × Changing sta6ons with laminar air flow
head with animal care takers. × Sas: pass through box and decontamina6on lock; to pass cells,
Works together with ethical commi>ee on animal experiments, cell lines and materials
the animal welfare body and an external veterinarian. × Gowning & procedures: strict procedures for quality system,
access with badge or with biometrics, common use, lockers for
User commi>ee = LA-comité: consulta6ve body with all holders clothing & personal items, autoclaved materials, mouth mask
of recogni6on (LA directors) à has academic director (chair) and hairnet, shower / toilet and air shower (more hygienic
and chairpersons of ECD and DWC. than wet shower and minimizes dragging out of hazardous
substances and allergens from controlled environment)
GFAN (1976): provides hotel func6on on campus Je>e (14
research groups + 4 satellites), experimental animal SPF à experimental department
expert/veterinarian support, central registra6on/distribu6on of
medica6on/anesthesia and support for recogni6on of animal SOPF à breeding and immunodeficient animals housed; needs
research and communica6on. a 2nd dressing procedure.
Addi6onal services (2018): hotel func6on on campus E>erbeek,
external expert quarterly audits, health screening, breeding
1
,3. Education levels & legal requirements HOC 2.1 – Health monitoring
Use of animals for experiments in Belgium requires specific 1. Health monitoring
licenses and is organized under relevant legisla6on.
Health screening = periodical control for presence of a list of
Educa6on levels and legal requirements for personnel are micro-organisms.
defined by the Royal Decree of 29.05.13 Protec6on Animals.
Guidelines: most used are SPF FELASA-list, but addi6onal agents
× Animal caretaker: provides basic care; cleaning disinfec6ng may be tested depending on the research being performed.
rooms, cages and containers; providing li>er, water and food; Typically done every 3-4 months, with extensive annual report
transport of animals; manipula6ng animals in performing and quarterly reports focusing on pathogens with a higher
these tasks (4hrs of training) prevalence, such as MNV. Always look at the last 12-18 months
× Animal caretakes responsible for special care: ac6vely of reports, as pathogens might not be detected in every single
par6cipate in experiments; appropriate prepara6on for tes6ng; report, doesn’t mean they are absent.
rou6nely providing necessary animal welfare concerns to all
animals; control of op6mal environment; competent SOPF list has 40 different pathogens and SPF list is used in
assistance with euthanasia of all types of laboratory animals general to scan animals in IC zone where experiments take place.
(Las1 & 2; cer6ficate B; 25-40hrs)
Sen6nel animals: used for monitoring; outbred strain that is
× Test leader (Las3; cer6ficate C; 80hrs) suscep6ble to most tested pathogens and develops a normal
In Belgium, recogni6on of laboratory necessary for ins6tutes immune response.
performing animal experiments and breeders. Direct contact: sen6nel animal has direct contact with colony
à LA1 and LA2 animals to facilitate be>er transfer of pathogens, but risk that
Changes in Brussels Cap6al Region legisla6on in 2019 and 2022 sen6nel could bring pathogens into colony.
à leefmilieu Brussels can stop or redraw experiments approved Indirect contact: sen6nels are exposed to dirty bedding from
by local ethical commi>ees. A new standardized form for ethical different cages placed into the sen6nel cages. Some pathogens
approval was introduced in 2021, although some parts are s6ll don’t easily transfer via bedding. Lower chance of impor6ng
unclear or not in place. pathogens through the sen6nel as there is no direct contact.
It is recommended to pursue a culture of care at all levels Refinement: membranes are installed within the exhaust
(management, hierarchy, researchers, animal contracts). The airflow to capture DNA/RNA of pathogens, reducing or
EU commi>ee endorsed this recommenda6on. elimina6ng the need for sen6nel animals à be>er system as it
Some EU commissioners advocate for a culture of challenge, would take pathogens up much faster.
where animal tes6ng is not automa6c but repeatedly Serology on sen6nels detects an6bodies, indica6ng past
ques6oned. infec6ons. PCR is mostly used for ac6ve infec6ons (more
VUB singed the “statement in support of animal research” in sensi6ve) and culture defini6vely detects ac6ve infec6ons. They
2019, commipng to more openness and balances, correct use at least 3 different methods to test samples from sen6nel.
communica6on about animal tes6ng. Environmental monitoring: swabbing every spot in a lab or
EARA (European animal research associa6on) strives for more animal room is not always efficient; more difficult with open
openness and transparency, and VUB is a member. cages. Effec6ve methods include swabbing the exhaust duct of
or tes6ng a piece of the exhaust filter from IVC rack à exhaust
Culture of challenge becomes/is the guideline for animal tes6ng air collects par6cles, which are trapped in the filter. PCR is ogen
for the future; very good accountability regarding the necessity used but finding something in the exhaust doesn’t guarantee
of experiments with / on animals will be required with focus on it’s currently present in the rack.
the 3 + 2 R’s.
Direct detec6on techniques: detect the pathogen itself in
animals or material; includes isola6on and growth (bacterial
en6ng of swab), histology, and PCR (detec6ng DNA/RNA). MAP
(mouse an6body produc6on-test) for viral contaminants in cell
lines is no longer done.
2
, Indirect detec6on techniques: detect the animal’s response 3. Barrier facilities
(an6bodies); done via serology using techniques like ELISA or
Facili6es with different health statuses and biosafety levels
IFA à 6ming is important for serology results.
require working from cleanest to dir6est and from the lowest
Posi6ve result: pathogen definitely present à eradica6on if BSL to the highest BSL. Quaran6ne measures must always be
possible, treatment or quaran6ne. considered.
Nega6ve result: pathogen might be present and can be missed Different barrier systems are used to control the environment
à importance of reviewing a yearly overview of reports. and prevent contamina6on.
Closed system quaran6ne: used for imported animals that may
have a different health status to prevent direct or indirect
2. Sources of contamination contact; animals housed in filtertop or IVC cages; dedicated
Contamina6on = transmission of pathogens, which doesn’t room or separate part of facility which personnel can’t re-enter
necessarily lead to illness; is not per se infec6on. any other room for 48hrs; room operates under nega6ve
pressure; monitoring performed but no exclusion list.
à posi6ve result could mean that an infec6on was present.
Open system (conven6onal): open cages; no direct contact but
Sick animals within the colony are a source. Imported animals dust par6cles and aerosols with micro-organisms can float
require checking health reports and preven6ve measures, around; allergens are freely in the room; disease spreads easily
which are stricter in breeding colonies than experimental and higher risk of contamina6on if wild animals enter; more
colonies due to long-term maintenance and higher dust present which affects health of caretakers and researchers;
handling/people interac6on in experimental sepngs. Dedicated under normal or nega6ve pressure; monitoring for specific
‘breeder-rooms’ are a solu6on. pathogens.
For new animals, health reports indicate the status for known SOPF/SPF: prevent introduc6on of pathogens; disinfec6on of
pathogens; “weten is meten” means absence is only confirmed material, food and water, changing personnel clothing; HEPA-
if tested for. Quaran6ne is necessary for imported animals filtered air and pressure differences; under posi6ve pressure
depending on their health status, especially considering carrier (air sucked into room); HEPA-filtered air enters the cage and air
states and seroconversion (14-28 days). Clinical examina6on is plus dust/par6cles leave through a microbial filter;
important, especially for larger animals. environmental air cannot enter the cabinet, only filtered air
Other animals: wild rodents can enter facili6es and contaminate inside.
the colony with known or unknown pathogens, which can have Germfree/gnotobio6c: an isolator provides a completely sealed
devasta6ng effects depending on research. Pets (esp. those animal housing space; protec6on of animal from environment;
requiring rodents/snakes as feed) and insects can be sources. steriliza6on of materials, food, bedding and water; complete
Humans are an important source, ac6ng as zoonosis carriers or regowning of personnel; under posi6ve pressure.
vectors (ex. Salmonella, TBC, campylobacter jejuni, …).
Preven6ve measures include strict hygiene, personal protec6ve
HOC 2.2 – Animal models
equipment (PPE) which protects both ways. Quaran6ne for
personnel (24-48hrs) ager visi6ng other facili6es and working 1. Introduction
from clean to dirty areas are also important. Dedicated
Animal models are a founda6on for understanding disease
personnel for breeding is not always feasible or necessary.
pathophysiology and are crucial for medical inves6ga6on. They
Micro-organisms: ‘free-living’ organisms like clostridium tetani have helped in developing surgical techniques, vaccines and
are not ogen seen, but biofilm is always a danger. an6bio6cs and they are also used to study the molecular basis
of disease.
Materials: feed and bedding can contain rodents and insects.
Drinking water can be contaminated with pseudomonas Key concerns are animal welfare, the validity of the models and
aeruginosa. Cages and instruments are also poten6al sources. the applicability of their outcomes.
Analogy: similar structure implies similar func6on.
3
