- Specific Pathogen Free
Specific Pathogen Free is a term used for
laboratory animal s that are guaranteed free of particularpathogen s. It is always accompanied by a list of the absent pathogens.Use of SPF animals ensures that specified diseases do not interfere with an experiment. For example, absence of respiratory pathogens such as
influenza in desirable when investigating a drug's effect onlung function.Practical
Completely germ free
The animals can be born through a
caesarian section then special care taken so the newborn does not acquire infections, such as use of sterile plastic bags with apositive pressure differential.A disadvantage is that any contact with
pathogens will be fatal, since no protectivebacterial flora are present (on the skin or in the intestine or respiratory tract).PF
To certify SPF, the population is checked for presence of (
antibodies against) the specified pathogens.Minimal disease status
When by accident some infection does occur, the population is said to have minimal disease status.
Monitoring
The population is regularly checked to ensure the status still holds.
Applications
SPF eggs can be used to make
vaccines .External links
* [http://www.ltz.de/html/index_63_gb.html Handling of SPF-Eggs (Lohmann Tierzucht ltz.de)]
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