* Pig Module

Entry into this module is directly from the corridor and there are no distinct protocols for entering the unit. Working with genetically altered pigs means there is no foolproof way to determine the potential risk for transferring agents like influenza. Animals imported from other countries have different DNA and facilities receiving them could be subject to exceedingly stringent regulatory requirements from Environment Canada. The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) specifies how the animals must be cared for and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) sets forth guidelines regarding the disposal of animals. An animal with a changed DNA can never leave the facility.

The genetically altered pigs are extremely expensive and fairly fragile. The housing facility is bound to keep the animals alive and ensure there are no extended power failures, lack of fans, or lack of chillers. The facilities must have enough redundancy to protect the animals in order to minimize liability.

“These animals are altered to knock out genes that identify them as pigs and make them more like primates and humans because the aim of this research is to find animals that are going to be suitable donors for human transplants,” says Geraldine (Gerry) Kent, director of animal care and veterinary services at the UWO.

The operating rooms represent an interesting aspect of this module. The operating rooms for the pigs and the primates are adjacent to each other to facilitate harvesting organs from pigs and transplanting them into the primates. The holding rooms for the pigs are modular with mobile equipment, trench drains, provisions for automatic watering, and hydrochemicals for cleaning.

* Non-Human Primate Module

This inclusive barrier module, located in between the pig and sheep units, houses baboons, cynomologous monkeys, and rhesus monkeys in a BSL-2 environment. All of the primates are on immunosuppressive drug therapy and have very few functional T-cells, making them very susceptible to organisms which are not pathogenic to ordinary animals. All of the primates will have surgery with most of them undergoing organ transplants and others receiving xenotransplants.

“We need to provide a fairly indestructible environment and enrichment so their quality of life is enhanced,” says Kent. “The environment must provide a quality of air and sterility with a high level of HVAC that is going to help them survive so they don’t die of disease while still having an organ that is functioning after the transplant.”

All materials need to be decontaminated before leaving the primate and sheep areas, so an autoclave is shared between the modules. The post-mortem procedures room is located adjacent to the decontamination room. Instruments can be taken directly into the decontamination area and washed. A curtained area and pitched floors with a center trench drain make it easy to wheel cages in and hose them down. Next to the decontamination area is a secure anteroom with a pass-through autoclave that leads to the public corridor.

Two changing areas are available for researchers and vivarium staff entering this module. Lockers are used to store their personal belongings before they enter the changing room where they can shower, and put on their scrubs and other suitable gear before entering the module. A restroom is located inside the module for the convenience of researchers and to prevent them from having to complete the entry protocol every time they re-enter the unit.

The operating suite has a pass-through that leads into the pig module. All instruments are kept in autoclaves and the operating room is a stand-alone unit with a sterile core. The suite is large enough to contain two tables and all of the necessary support equipment. A small holding room can accommodate the monkeys and a larger holding area is used for the baboons. All primates are kept in mobile cages and the holding rooms provide good visual clarity so staff can readily see if any animals have escaped. If they do escape from the mobile cages, they are confined behind another caged door and cannot access any equipment.

* Pregnant Sheep Module

Health Canada maintains strict guidelines that must be followed when housing pregnant sheep in research facilities. An enhanced BSL-2 level is necessary since sheep can carry an agent called coxiella burnetii, an aerosol pathogen. The HVAC units must be in full operation at all times.

The sheep used at the MACF are both domestic and imported, making it necessary to clear second regulatory guidelines from the CFIA.

The inclusive barrier unit has a gowned entry area and a shared autoclave. The modular holding rooms have a treatment area in the center to facilitate the easy transfer of animals through wall ports from the holding room to the procedure area. The module contains its own operating room and lab space.

* Rodent Module

The rodent module represents an exclusive barrier and features gowned entry, a dedicated cagewash, and modular holding rooms. A tunnel washer with a 48-inch belt going into the clean cagewash is used with an autoclave into the sterile cage holding area. The University made provisions for an additional autoclave in the future and extra cagewash capacity, if necessary.

--T.C.