Detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus antibody in colonies of laboratory animals in Japan.

Indirect fluorescent antibody method was applied for a detection of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) antibody in colonies of laboratory animals in Japan. The results showed that the antibody exist in SPF mice (3/152, 2.2%) and conventional mice (30/539, 5.6%) with the titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:160. The antibody was also detected in 2.2% (2/89) of Syrian hamsters, and 2.9% (2/68) of Apodemus agrarius, 21.4% (3/14) of Japanese harvest mice which have been maintained as laboratory colony for several years. However, the antibody was not demonstrated in Mongolian gerbils, Suncus murinus, guinea pigs and rats, thus far. These results indicate that LCMV infection is present in laboratory animals in Japan, and pointed out the importance of microbiological monitoring for LCMV.