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A simple device for the exposure of animals to infectious microorganisms by the airborne route

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 1997

R. J. PHILLPOTTS ,
T. J. G. BROOKS  and
C. S. COX
R. J. PHILLPOTTS
Affiliation:
CBD, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ UK
T. J. G. BROOKS
Affiliation:
CBD, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ UK
C. S. COX
Affiliation:
CBD, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ UK
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Abstract

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In order to evaluate prophylaxis and therapy for individuals infected with pathogens by the airborne route, we have designed and built a simple apparatus in which small laboratory animals may be exposed to aerosols of infectious microorganisms. Animals are kept in a chamber closed by a HEPA filter and exposed to the pathogen aerosolized using a Collison nebulizer. Air in the exposure chamber may be sampled to show that the infectious agent is present but the dose of agent must be expressed as 50% effective doses determined by titration. An effective dose may be defined by whatever criteria are chosen to judge disease. Using this apparatus we have shown that St Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus is infectious for mice by the airborne route. These data support the idea that there may be significant hazard to personnel exposed to aerosols of infectious SLE after a laboratory accident.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 118 , Issue 1 , February 1997 , pp. 71 - 75
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press