Comparison of Two Sanitation Monitoring Methods in an Animal Research Facility

Cleaning and sanitizing animal housing and equipment is essential to the well-being of laboratory animals. Two methods of monitoring sanitation were compared in an animal research facility. The study was performed with the purpose of identifying an efficient and effective method for monitoring sanitation. RODAC plates, a conventional microbiological technique, and a bioluminescent monitoring device that detects adenosine triphosphate were compared in side-by-side tests. The sanitation monitoring tests were done on an animal room floor after cleaning by a variety of methods and on cages washed in mechanical cage washers. While both sanitation monitoring methods were found to be effective, the bioluminescence monitoring device was found to be more efficient and significantly less expensive than RODAC plates.