Inoculation of Viral Vectors in Laboratory Rodents
Note: The IBC reserves the right to recommend a different animal housing containment from what is listed below, if deemed necessary through IBC review of an application (For example: depending on the gene being expressed, etc.).
Approved by: Institutional Biosafety Committee
Last revised by: Elizabeth Ward
Revision date: 10/16/2012
| Viral Vector* | Biosafety Level** | Animal Biosafety Level*** |
| Murine Retrovirus (Ecotropic – only infects mice) | BSL-1 | ABSL-1 |
| Murine Retrovirus (amphotropic or pseudo-typed—can infect multiple hosts) | BSL-2 | ABSL-2 |
| Lentivirus | BSL-2 | ABSL-1+ |
| After 48 hours post-administration, animals may be handled at ABSL-1 | ||
| Adenovirus | BSL-2 | ABSL-1+ |
| After 48 hours post-administration, animals may be handled at ABSL-1 | ||
| Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) | BSL-1 | ABSL if no helper virus |
| ABSL-2 with a known or potential helper virus | ||
| Herpesvirus I and II | BSL-2 | ABSL-2 |
| Epstein Barr | BSL-2 | ABSL-2 |
| Vaccinia | BSL-2 | ABSL-2 |
*Special consideration for transgenes, toxins, oncogenes, elements that alter host range, etc.
**BSL indicates the acceptable containment for handling and injection of the vectors in the lab.
***ABSL indicates the acceptable animal containment or housing conditions.