Serological survey of laboratory rodents for infection with Sendai virus, mouse hepatitis virus, reovirus type 3 and mouse adenovirus.

(Parker, Tennant and Ward, 1966; Parker, Hercules and von Kaenel, 1967), Japan (Fukumi et al., 1962; Fuj iwara, 1971; Fuj iwara, Tanishima and Tanaka, 1979) and the United Kingdom (Carthew and Verstraete, 1978). To scrutinize the status of murine virus infections among laboratory rodents in Japan, animals from commercial breeders and various research institutions including this institute have been examined serologically since 1973. Serological examinations for antibodies to Sendai virus (Sendai), mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), reovirus type 3 (reo 3), and mouse adenovirus (MAd) were conducted on laboratory rodents during the period from 1973 through 1976 and the serological data obtained were analyzed to find the mode of transmission of the viruses among animals under conventional condition, since the majority of animals used in this institute were conventional ones until 1976 and specific pathogen-free (SPF) animals (mice and rats) increased in number thereafter. Sera of animals were collected in this institute during the period from 1973 through 1976; 2,209 sera of 196 mouse colonies, 890 sera of 71 rat colonies, 51 sera of three hamster colonies, 69 sera of 12 guinea-pig colonies and 13 sera of four Mongolian gerbil colonies from commercial breeders and research institutions. Some of the animals were to be used in this institute. The animals were maintained and bred under conventional care and management. Serological checking for the viruses was made at the age older than 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken by heart puncture. The serum was diluted 1:5 with veronal buffered