Specific Pathogen Free

Specified pathogen -free ( SPF) (English: specific pathogen free ) is a term that comes from the laboratory animal facility and means that certain pathogens ( pathogens ), such as bacteria, fungi and viruses in this animal husbandry may not show up. These are defined by the Federation European Laboratory Animal Science Association FELASA who have written their recommendations for the health monitoring of such a laboratory animal in the " Recommendations for the health monitoring of rodent and rabbit colonies in breeding and experimental units" (2001 ) (published in Laboratory Animals, 2002).

In SPF areas therefore there is a particularly high hygienic status. Staff enters the area via locks ( changing rooms, showers or air Naßduschen ) and allowed to stay only with protective clothing in this germ-free environment, for example, to care for the animals or to take animals for a try. This area is sealed off by more material - locks from the outside world. Through them, autoclaved cages, feed bags, water bottles or similar Enrichment be introduced before.

In the SPF area, a slight higher air pressure is present ( per step outside world → Workspace / supply gear → animal room about 50 Pa), so can not spread germs from the outside world to the inside when you open the locks. Contents are mostly rodents such as mice, rats and hamsters, often in laminar flow cabinets as Scantainern or in individual ventilated cages (individual ventilated cages (IVC ) ). More rarely, animals such as sheep, goats, pigs and mini pigs are to be found.

• Animal experiments
• Animal Welfare
• Veterinary Medicine