uconn health

Avian Tuberculosis

What Is Avian Tuberculosis?

Avian tuberculosis is a chronic wasting disease caused by infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium avium that can affect a wider range of bird species and may affect mammalian species (including humans, though the serotypes affecting humans have generally been different to those isolated from poultry). Avian TB occurs worldwide but most frequently occurring in the Northern Hemisphere in the temperate zone.

Routes of Infection

Infection results from ingestion of material contaminated with feces of infected birds or other animals. The feces of infected birds can contain very large numbers of the bacteria. M. avium can persist in the environment for many years. Spread from contaminated environments can take place mechanically on shoes and equipment. Ingestion of infected carcasses can also spread the infection. Eggs are not considered to play a significant role in the source of infection.

Risks

M. avium infection can be dangerous in humans with compromised immune systems.

Asthma and Allergy in Animal Handlers

General Information

Allergic reactions to animals are among the most common conditions that affect individuals who have contact with laboratory animals. One survey demonstrated that 75 percent of all institutions with laboratory animals had workers who had contact with animals having allergic symptoms. Workers exposed to laboratory animals can be categorized into several risk groups:

Risk Group History Risk of Allergic Reactions to Laboratory Animals Comment
Normal No evidence of allergic disease ~ 10% 90% will never develop symptoms in site of repeated animal contact
Atopic Pre-existing allergic disease Up to 73% Workers who become sensitized will eventually develop symptoms on exposure
Asymptomatic IgE Ab to allergenic animal proteins Up to 100% Risk of developing allergic symptoms or rhinitis, asthma, or contact uticaria with continued exposure is high
Symptomatic Clinical symptoms on exposure to allergenic animal proteins 100% 33% with chest symptoms; 10% of group might develop occupational asthma; even minimal exposure can lead to permanent impairment

Symptoms

Allergic individuals can display a variety of symptoms: allergic rhinitis (runny nose and sneezing); allergic conjunctivitis (irritation and tearing of the eyes); asthma (wheezing and shortness of breath); contact dermatitis (red, bumpy rash), or rarely anaphylaxis (ranging from mild generalized urticarial reactions to profound life-threatening reactions).

Prevention

Individuals who work with laboratory animals should be aware of the signs and symptoms of allergies and asthma. If you work with animals and start to develop any symptoms, you should report to Employee Health Services for counseling and appropriate treatment. The presence of pre-existing allergic conditions in a person (e.g., hay fever) might increase the likelihood of developing asthma in the occupational setting during exposure to laboratory animals.

The most effective way to minimize your exposure to allergens is to control your work practices. The following are steps you should take:

1. Do not wear your street clothes when working with animals; always wear dedicated, protective clothing (e.g., scrubs and lab coats)

2. If you already have allergies, wear an approved NIOSH certified N95 respirator when working with laboratory animals. Remember that, in order to wear a respiratory, you must be fit-tested by the Environmental Health & Safety.

3. Keep cages and your work area clean. The less exposure you have to animal dander and urine, the better.

4. Always wear gloves and long-sleeved lab coats when handling the animals.

5. Wash your hands after contact with the animals.

6. When possible, perform animal manipulations in a biosafety cabinet. A clean bench will not protect you- its function is to protect the animals you are working with.

If your job requires you to be exposed to something to which you are allergic, you should discuss this situation with your physician- what effect the allergy may be on your future health. Some workers are so severely affected that only a change in career will control their allergies.

Hazard Assessment: Birds

birdsYour Potential Risks

Based on the species you are working with, you should be aware of the following potential health risks:

What You Should Do

1. Be knowledgeable about the potential for developing allergies and/or asthma due to animal handling- especially if you are already allergic. When seeking medical advice for any illness, inform your physician that you work with birds.

2. Consider using a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator – even if you do not have any symptoms. These respirators have been shown to reduce the chance of developing laboratory animal allergies. In order to use a respirator, you must have a fit test through the Environmental Health & Safety.

3. Know proper handling techniques of birds. Only trained personnel should handle birds. Handling and restraint training can be scheduled through the Center for Comparative Medicine.

4. Gloves and lab coats should be worn at all times when working with birds. Minimize wearing protective clothing, such as lab coats, outside of animal areas and laboratories. Follow posted personal protective clothing requirements. Perform procedures in a laminar flow hood whenever possible.

5. Keep transport carriers out of labs/offices/public areas.

6. Use disposable supplies whenever possible. Sanitize laboratory and surgical areas after animal work.

7. Always wash your hands after coming in contact with birds.

Staying Healthy in the Animal Facility

Get the Facts

All individuals working in a facility should receive appropriate training on that facility’s particular biohazards, precautions, and biohazard evaluation procedures. If there is something you don’t understand, ask your supervisor. If they don’t know, ask Employee Health Services (860-679-2893).

Seek Medical Attention Promptly

If you are injured on the job, you must promptly report the accident to your supervisor, even if it seems minor. You will then report to employee health services for evaluation of the injury. This is especially important when working with non-human primates or their housing areas.

The Supervisor’s Role

The supervisor is responsible for teaching the workers what they need to know to perform their job safely and effectively.

Tell Your Physician You Work with Animals

Whenever you’re ill, even if you’re not certain that the illness is work related, always mention to your physician that you work with animals. Many zoonotic diseases have flu-like symptoms, and your physician needs this information to make an accurate diagnosis.

Use Personal Protective Equipment

Some types of work require personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face shields, masks, respirators, etc. Always use the protective devices where required, and follow your supervisor’s instructions. Individuals should realize that there is a difference between masks and respirators- respirators (such as N95 respirator masks) are highly recommended for individuals working with animals. Respirators form a seal around your face and must be fit-tested. They are also approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Wash Your Hands

The most common way to contract a zoonotic infection is place the infectious material directly in your own mouth. Always wash your hands after handling an animal or anything that the animal has touched. Never smoke, drink, apply cosmetics, or eat in the animal room or before washing your hands.

Wear Protective Clothing

Wear protective clothing when working with animals. For some workers, protective clothing will consist of a lab coat; for others it may be a dedicated set of work clothing. Never take protective clothing home with you. Protective clothing insures that you won’t bring potentially contaminated material home with you.

Training

Training should be appropriate for the employee’s education, experience, and language skills. Training sessions are documented. Everyone in the workplace should be aware of their own safe work practices and those of others. Safety is everyone’s business. The Office or Research Safety conducts regular training regarding chemical, blood-borne pathogen training, and radiation safety. The IACUC conducts regular training regarding animal use.

Risk Assessment

General Information

Read Staying Healthy in the Animal Facility for general information about working with laboratory animals. All animal work involves some risk and everyone who works in an animal facility, or with animals, should be familiar with the risks associated with their work.

Perform a risk analysis on our website. Just click on the animal(s) that you are working with to get an idea of what potential hazards there are when you use that species.

If you have a health condition that might make you more susceptible to illness than the average worker, you should make an appointment with Employee Health Services to discuss your condition with an occupational health provider with your particular risks. Any discussion between you and the occupational health provider will be kept strictly confidential.

You should also speak with the occupational health provider if you are pregnant, already suffer from allergies, are undergoing therapy for cancer, or suffer from a chronic infection of any type.

Please follow the links to the species that you are using in your work with laboratory animals:

birds
BIRDS
cats
CATS
primates
NON-HUMAN PRIMATES

 

rabbits
RABBITS
amphibian
FISH, REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

 

rodents
RODENTS

 

rodents
FERRETS

IACUC Meeting Schedule

Submission Deadlines

Typically, deadlines are somewhat flexible. Please contact the IACUC office at ooacc@uchc.edu if it is imperative that your submission be on a particular agenda date and you are submitting after the deadline date and time as it will require the approval of the IACUC Chair.  The only exceptions to this are the deadlines for the November and December agendas – the deadlines are FIRM at noon on the date listed.

Only complete protocols will be reviewed by the IACUC; simply submitting a protocol by the deadline does not mean that the protocol is ready for Committee review. If your protocol is returned for any reason, you must resubmit the revised protocol by the deadline date to be considered at that month’s meeting.

Reviews after the meetings are sent to the PI as soon as possible; however, please note that the IACUC requires 2-3 business days to process reviews.  Please do not call the IACUC office about the status of your reviewed submission immediately after the meeting; if you have not received your review by the end of the day on the Tuesday following the IACUC meeting, please call the IACUC office at x3429 or email at ooacc@uchc.edu.

Date Time Location Deadline for submissions
April 24, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Thursday, April 10, 2025
May 29, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Monday, May 12, 2025
June 5, 2025 * 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040
June 26, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Tuesday, June 10, 2025
July 31, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Thursday, July 10, 2025
August 28, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Monday, August 11, 2025
September 25, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Wednesday, September 10, 2025
October 30, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Friday, October 10, 2025
November 20, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Monday, November 10, 2025 – NO EXCEPTIONS
December 4, 2025 * 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040
December 18, 2025 2:00 pm SOM Conference Room, L-5040 Noon, Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – NO EXCEPTIONS

*These meetings are to discuss the Animal Care and Use Program used at UConn Health and the results of the semi-annual facility and laboratory inspections. Protocols and modifications are not part of the agendas for these meetings.

IACUC Protocol Information

Protocol Applications and Modifications: Submission Instructions

INFOED FOR ANIMAL CARE AND USE PROTOCOLS

The InfoEd Animal Use/ IACUC module is available for use within the UConn Health InfoEd eRA Portal at https://uchealth.infoed.uconn.edu. This is the same portal that many researchers use for disclosing Financial Conflicts of Interests in Research or to view SPS grant proposal/award information. The Animal Use / IACUC module will be available once a user logs in. The InfoEd eRA portal is secured by UConn (Storrs) NetID which usually uses the format of your initials / three letters and a sequence of five numbers  (e.g. abc12345). It is different from your UConn Health domain account login. If you don’t know your NetID, you may look it up at https://netid.uconn.edu. You may obtain NetID and password assistance by calling University ITS at 860-486-4357.

If you have technical computer questions, experience any difficulties with using the InfoEd stystem,  discover any issues, or see things that just don’t seem quite right, please document them by creating screenshots and provide a synopsis of the steps you took prior to seeing the issue. Please send these materials to era-support@uconn.edu – NOT THE IACUC OFFICE.  Most Research IT staff telecommute so they may be unable to answer the main support line at 860-486-7944, but you may leave a detailed message and staff will call you back or reply back via email as soon as possible.  Each voicemail automatically creates an eRA help desk ticket via email. Again, NetID login/password assistance should be directed to the UITS Support Center at 860-486-4357.

If you need something added to a drop-down menu (e.g., name of a new hazard, new room location, name of a procedure, etc.) please send an email to the IACUC office.  Do not send your request directly to the OVPR IT Helpdesk.

Please note that InfoEd has the ability to attach documents.  IACUC practices state that documents are only allowed to supplement information, not replace information.  In addition, you cannot attach or reference “living” documents (such as google docs).  Anything referenced or linked to InfoEd must be “static”.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON 3-YEAR RENEWALS:

3 YEAR RENEWAL PROTOCOLS – These are to be processed as INITIAL APPLICATIONS and you select “3-year renewal” as the protocol renewal type.

By law, 3 year renewals require a de novo review, which we do by having the PI create a new protocol which will be identified as a 3-year renewal in InfoEd.

In InfoEd, you need to select ‘new protocol’ for your form type whether it is a true new protocol or a three year renewal protocol.  Once you are in the eform, in Section 1 “Information”, the second question “Protocol Renewal Information” will default to “new protocol”.  If your protocol is a 3-year renewal, you must select “3-year renewal” from the drop down menu in the question “Protocol Renewal Information”.

If you are doing procedures categorized as pain category D and/or E, you MUST have an updated veterinary consultation – required even if you haven’t “changed” anything from the old protocol.  Submissions will not be processed if an updated veterinary consultation has not been performed and attached to the document.

PLEASE NOTE:  In section 1 “Administration” the first question is protocol title.  InfoEd defaults  the title question to “new protocol submitted by ‘PI name’ on ‘date and time'”.  You must change the name from this default title to your actual protocol title.  Protocols cannot be processed without an appropriate title.

Helpful Information

The following are examples of different aspects of the animal care and use protocol form.

    The IACUC office has a workbook entitled “Working with the IACUC: Writing an Animal Protocol” which was written by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AAALAS). It is a good resource for individuals who must write animal care and use protocols. You can get a copy by going to the IACUC office or contacting the IACUC office at ooacc@uchc.edu.

    Recombinant Animals Forms and Tables – Excel to Upload into InfoEd

    The below Excel files are used for new InfoEd protocols where Section 13 on the InfoEd eform applies. Users fill out the Excel file(s) and upload them in the appropriate area of InfoEd when appropriate for their study.

    Recombinant Rodent Information Table (RRIT)

    Recombinant Rodent Compliance Form (RRCF)

    Recombinant Non-Rodent Information Table (RNRIT)

    Animal Safety Protocols – Word documents

    The use of chemical hazards, infectious agents, human materials, and radioactive materials in animal may require an animal safety protocol.  The IACUC has developed Word documents that are separated into sections – you need only complete the sections required for your particular hazard and use.  Please use the chart below to determine which sections of the safety protocol are required for your hazard(s).  Then download the documents, complete them, and send them to the IACUC Administrator.  Please note that Section J is a help document for you and you should print it out to help you when you fill out your relevant sections of the safety protocol.

    Download and complete all sections required.  DO NOT ATTACH TO INFOED.  Send all forms to the IACUC Administrator only.  The forms say something different in the instructions; we cannot change them at this point, so please follow this directive.  DO NOT PDF SECTION I AND COLLECT SIGNATURES AT THIS POINT.  Once the animal safety protocol is approved, it will be attached to InfoEd by the IACUC office at approval of the protocol.  Then you can print out the animal safety protocol and obtain required signatures (after people have read the documents, of course!).

    Please do not combine your Word Document Sections.  Please keep them separate.

    IF YOU NEED TO MODIFY AN ANIMAL SAFETY PROTOCOL – please contact the IACUC office.  The IACUC office will send you what you will need to modify your animal safety protocol.

    Sections A/B Section C Section D Section E Section F Section G Section H Section I
    Chemical hazard X X X X
    Infectious agent X X X X
    Human material X X X X
    Infectious agent concurrently with Human material X X X X X
    Chemical hazard used concurrently with [infectious agent and/or human material] X X X (as applicable) X (as applicable) X X X
    Radioactive material X X X X

    Sections A/B

    Section C

    Section D

    Section E

    Section F

    Section G (currently still under construction)

    Section H

    Section I

    Section J

     

    Laws, Policies, and Guidelines for Animal Research

    American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

    Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), UConn Health Center

    National Institutes of Health (NIH)

    National Research Council

    Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

    Public Health Service (PHS)

    UConn Health Center

    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

    Coordination with Other Oversight Committees

    The SCRO Committee does not replace the oversight of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or Institutional Review Board (IRB), or alter the scope of review of these committees. Protocols that normally require IBC, IACUC and/or IRB approval continue to require these approvals. Investigators have the responsibility of submitting the required documents to the relevant oversight committees. If any component of the research project is conducted at an institution other than UConn, the SCRO Committee must receive documentation that the relevant approvals (IBC, IACUC, or IRB) have been obtained at the institution where the research is conducted.

    The SCRO Committee has the final sign-off on stem cell protocol approvals. Final SCRO Committee approval will not be given until the SCRO Committee receives documentation of all required IBC, IACUC and IRB approvals. Continued SCRO approval is contingent upon all other relevant approvals being current. Parallel review with the SCRO Committee and the IRB, IBC or IACUC is permitted. Investigators may submit their protocol applications to the SCRO Committee while IRB, IBC or IACUC approval is pending or after it is granted.

    • IBC: All use of recombinant DNA or hazardous biological materials (human cells) must be approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee at the campus where the research will be conducted.
    • IACUC: All use of animals must be approved by the IACUC at the campus where the research will be conducted.
    • IRB: Because oversight issues of the IRB and the SCRO Committee are intertwined, it is recommended that the IRB and SCRO Committee reviews occur in parallel. Approval must be obtained from the IRB at the campus where the research will occur. Investigators should submit a copy of their IRB application to the SCRO Committee along with their SCRO Committee application. A UConn IRB must review and approve stem cell research protocols for:
      • Informed consent for the donation of human embryos, gametes, or somatic cells from human subjects to UConn researchers;
      • Receiving and coding for human biological materials with personal donor identifiers;
      • Implanting stem cells into human subjects.

       

      Documentation for acquired cells

      All stem cell projects are required to have proper documentation for the hESC and hiPSC lines that faculty plan to use before the SCRO Committee can provide final approval.

      • Cells derived at another institution or outside UConn require an executed Material Transfer Agreement (MTA).
      • Cells coming from the UConn Stem Cell Core facility but developed and owned elsewhere such as the WiCell Stem Cell Bank lines that are banked at the Core require a shortened Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA) known as a Short Letter Agreement (SLA). The procedures for obtaining these cells and the required documentation are detailed on the Core website: https://health.uconn.edu/stem-cell-core/services/distribution-of-human-pluripotent-stem-cell-lines/.
      • Investigators who plan to use hESC/iPSC lines that have not been previously approved by the UConn SCRO Committee must provide documentation of their provenance and their ethical derivation. This documentation includes:
        • A copy of the fully executed Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)
        • Evidence of IRB approval at the relevant institution
        • Documentation of the informed consent process in sufficient detail to allow for evaluation of conformity with State of Connecticut Regulations, National Academy of Science Guidelines, and standards of the UConn SCRO Committee and IRB.

      IACUC Training

      Animal Users

      It is federal and institutional policy that all animal users be trained in both the biology of the species to be used and in all procedures that users are expected to perform when they work with laboratory animals.  The IACUC requires ALL animal users to attend a 3-hour initial training class.  This class is a 3-part training session that covers:  (1) the animal care program and the IACUC (including the laws and regulations that govern such research in the US); (2) working with the Center for Comparative Medicine; and (3) working safely with research animals.  Animal users only have to take this program once while they are at UConn Health.  This 3-hour initial class is in-person.

      It is mandatory that every year, individuals who use laboratory animals take an online renewal training.

      Many people take courses through the CITI program.  Please note that these courses do not meet initial or renewal training criteria set by the UCH IACUC.  These courses are only accepted for meeting training requirements when they are assigned by the IACUC office.  Feel free to take the CITI courses – they are very informative.  But they will not replace UCH IACUC-required trainings.

      All animal users are required to document the procedural training they have received from their PIs or senior laboratory members.  It is the responsibility of all animal users to document this training (you can use the “Animal training records form” below) and provide a copy of this training to the IACUC upon request.  Procedural training may be a mixture of observation and hands-on activity; however, being trained means that the individual is proficient in the procedure and can perform the procedure to the satisfaction of the PI and/or veterinarian and/or veterinary staff.  If an individual does not have training, do not upload an incorrect training log; simply state in the “responsibilities” section of the personnel page of the protocol e-form the procedures they will be expected to do and state that those procedures will not be performed independently until the individual is appropriately trained and training submitted to the IACUC upon request.