Which pathogens are typically monitored in routine health surveillance of mice?

• A. HIV, Hepatitis B, Ebola, and Rabies virus.
• B. Clostridium difficile, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter.
• C. None; routine health surveillance does not monitor pathogens.
• D. Mycoplasma pulmonis, Sendai virus, mouse norovirus, and occasionally other pathogens depending on facility.

Answer: (D)

Routine health surveillance in laboratory mice focuses on pathogens that commonly infect colonies and can skew research results. The best choice lists a representative panel: Mycoplasma pulmonis, a frequent bacterial respiratory pathogen; Sendai virus, a common viral respiratory pathogen in mice; and mouse norovirus, a widespread enteric virus that can subtly alter gut biology and immune responses. Facilities tailor surveillance to their specific risks, so other pathogens may be included based on strain, housing, and research needs. The other options don’t fit because human pathogens like HIV, Hepatitis B, Ebola, and Rabies are not routine targets in mouse health programs and would involve different biosafety contexts, and simply listing bacterial pathogens does not capture the typical viral and Mycoplasma focus of standard surveillance.