Animal laboratory technicians

Some investigators and animal care technicians who have prolonged contact with laboratory animals may develop aUeigies to animal dander, hair, urine, tissues, or secretions. Reactions to skin contact or inhalation of these materials vary from a wheal and flare phenomenon (a firm, red raised area af fhe sife of skin confact which develops within several minutes) to hfe-threatening anaphylactic shock. 

Not only workers normally in contact with domestic and farm animals but also explorers, surveyors, zoo attendants and laboratory technicians are at risk. Particular examples include T. verrucosum among farmers (or veterinarians) and their families and T. mentagrophytes among laboratory workers. Pet-shop and kennel workers are at risk from M. canis. Sportsmen and various categories of workers (e.g. miners) may contract T. rubrum infection (Wilkinson 1987). 

Agrup G, Sjostedt L (1988) Contact urticaria in laboratory technicians working with animals. Acta Derm Venereol 81 736-742... 

Chemical laboratory technicians and associate laboratory workers are exposed to a great number of chemicals that cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria or skin burns. Laboratories that deal with biological specimens or laboratory animals, e.g., in hospitals, university clinical departments and pharmaceutical companies, share the hazards of chemistry laboratories however, human and animal tissue specimens, and laboratory animals contribute additional risks of contact urticaria and skin infections. Laboratory assistants are at greater risk of sensitization than workers in general. Also, the risk of skin infections is increased (Karjalainen et al. 1997)-... 

Kanerva et al. 1996). Natural rubber latex and laboratory animals are probably the most common causes of contact urticaria in the laboratory environment. Other types of noninfectious biological risk may include exposure to animal and plant proteins, e.g., flour, grains or feed, and decorative plants, and enzymes (Tarvainen et al. 1991). Contact urticaria from laboratory animals is more common in persons carrying out experiments with animals, e.g., laboratory technicians and chemists, than in those tending them. The former tasks involve more direct handling of the animals, their secretions, and their internal organs (Susitaival and Hannuksela 1997). 

Laboratory technicians animal workers agricultural workers... 

Pathology, tissue typing, and laboratory technicians animal workers (nonhuman primates)... 

Only the names of study personnel need be listed in the report. The signatures required are those of the study director and those individuals described in 58.185(a)(12). A laboratory is permitted some discretion in the listing of names. The names of technicians and animal-care workers need not be listed. The list of names is usually limited to senior scientific or supervisory staff... 

In addition, the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) provides guidelines for animal care and use, operates a certification program for animal technicians, and develops educational materials. The AALAS also serves as a scientific forum for laboratory medicine and care. The American Association for the Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) offers a peer review laboratory accreditation program for research facilities. In addition, the FDA and the EPA have Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. 

Continuous infusion may also be a mode of administration if the same mode administration is planned for clinical use or if the solubility is too low to achieve blood levels after single day injections. Infusions can be conducted either by external pumps connected to the animals vein or by internal pumps implanted subcutaneously. This mode of administration requires special equipments and great experience by the technicians. A major concern is to avoid infections of the implantation site. These types of studies should be confined to special laboratories with the necessary equipment and experience because under certain circumstances the time of infusion is 24 hours per day. 

Last but not least, one of the most important, but sometimes a little bit neglected, aspects in the implementation of GLP concerns the instruction, education and training of personnel. This does not only involve technicians, laboratory workers, animal caretakers or field hands, but also - and this has to be especially emphasised - the prospective Study Directors. Only if all individuals in the test facility can be considered to be on an equivalent level of theoretical and practical knowledge with regard to the application of the GLP rules can the test facility be expected to work in a perfectly compliant way. 

Animal fat and oil processors Animal manure removers Artificial-flavour makers Asphalt storage workers Barium carbonate makers Blast furnace workers Brewery workers Bromide-brine workers Cable splicers Caisson workers Carbon disulphide workers Cellophane producers Chemical laboratory workers (lecturers, students, technicians) Cistern cleaners Citrus root fumigators Coal gasification workers Coke oven workers Copper-ore sulphidisers Depilatory makers Dye-makers Excavators Felt makers... 

If animal tests are necessary, the animal should be given adequate quarters and care. The use of outside independent laboratories may be advisable for specialized and complex analytical and biological procedures that require the use of costly equipment and that can be performed only by technicians with specialized training. Such laboratories should be adequately staffed and fully equipped to perform such analyses. 

Veterinary science is a medical science dealing with the study, research, prevention, and treatment of disease in animals and the relation of animal disease to human health. It deals with the health of individual animals and groups of animals. Veterinary scientists include veterinarians who treat animal patients, research veterinary scientists who work in academic and private research laboratories, and technicians and technologists who assist veterinarians and veterinarian scientists. Veterinarians provide health care to companion animals and livestock. They play an important role in maintaining a wholesome food supply. Veterinary scientists involved in research are instrumental in the development of medicine, treatments, and surgical procedures applicable to both humans and animals. 

Biomedical Research. Veterinarians in charge of laboratory animals are responsible for the health and well-being of the animals used in the laboratory. They may oversee as many as 70,000 such animals, many of which are genetically engineered mice. They supervise teams of veterinary technicians and other trained personnel who take care of these animals on a daily basis. They also assess proposed experiments and evaluate how well they conform to regulations regarding laboratory animals. 

Other careers in veterinary science requiring less study and training are those of veterinary technician (two-year program) or technologist (four-year program). Veterinary technicians and technologists work in clinics and in research facilities. They assist veterinarians with animals in the examination room and in the surgical room and are responsible for the daily care of hospitalized and laboratory animals. They also perform laboratory procedures, keep records, and assist with client education. 

Sapanski, W. and J. Harkness. 1984. Manual for Assistant Laboratory Animal Technicians, Joliet, IL American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. 

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