Sentinel Monitoring Program: Quality Assurance in Laboratory animal facility

Abstract

Sentinel animal testing plays a pivotal role in management of any modern vivarium. It is an extremely
useful tool to assess the microbial status of the laboratory animals as part of the comprehensive animal
care program. Sentinels pick up the early infection if any, in the micro and/or macro environment, as these
animals are placed in a similar environment intentionally. Sentinels are representative animals, independent
of the research colonies and are maintained only for the purpose of screening the pathogenic organisms
at regular intervals. At times, as part of 3R's, we have on occasion used research animals to confirm our
sentinel results. Sentinel program is concerned with prompt detection of pathogens and the measures
to deal with them thereby ensuring the health status of the resident colony. With an effective sentinel
monitoring program preventive measures can be taken to enact either, treat, contain or eradicate the
pathogen. This review provides insights into the sentinel program with respect to disease surveillance of
laboratory animals and conveys why it is necessary for effective in laboratory animal program management