DID YOU KNOW? DTIC has over 3.5 million final reports on DoD funded research, development, test, and evaluation activities available to our registered users. Click
HERE to register or log in.
Accession Number:
ADA021166
Title:
Development of a Colony of Germfree Hamsters as a Biomedical Resource.
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. 1 Oct 73-30 Sep 74,
Corporate Author:
NOTRE DAME UNIV IND
Report Date:
1976-01-07
Pagination or Media Count:
15.0
Abstract:
Caesarian derived hamsters were fed a sterile soluble diet by stomach tube and they failed to reach weaning age. Caesarian derived hamsters were foster nursed on germfree Wistar rats, CFW mice, and gerbils, and the longest survival period was 9 days. Hamsters were decontaminated by combinations of orally-administered antibiotics guided by antibiotic sensitivity tests and immersions in disinfectants. They were maintained in laminar flow then sterile plastic isolator systems. The microbial flora turned negative however, on long term observations following termination of treatments, Escherichia coli reappeared which was resistant to antibiotics. Hamsters with the latter organism developed extensive dilatation of cecum and colon which required periodic decompression by needle through the abdominal wall. Viruses were not detected in the conventional colony of hamsters following long term holding under conditions of germfree technology.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
