We have further data to publish after extensive research and testing and trials were completed over the last 3 generations we produced. Please stay tuned.
Questions About RBF We Are Researching
We set out to keep a positive colony to research how RBF may spread or act amongst a colony. Below are the items we have researched and details. We are working closely with RAL to perform this research and perform testing.
How early can we test rats via PCR?
We have determined that you can test as early as 5 weeks with RAL. PCR tests will test for current infections. The swabs are a bit large, so it is recommended as early as 5 weeks to detect first positives. Unlike serology, “Passive Immunity” does not apply to PCR testing which only tests for the presence of an antigen. Serology may be best to wait until 10 weeks or later according to Charles River. Reasons are not specified.
Will all rats get RBF if they live with positive rats?
No. Thankfully, not all rats will ‘get’ RBF. There are a few theories. Either the rat can naturally fend off the bacteria to an undetectable level, or they simply don’t get it or have immunity to it.
We will be testing babies from exposed mothers to see if any babies will come out positive. Effectively testing the theory that if the mother is able to keep RBF at an undetectable level, that doesn’t mean the babies will. We currently have 5 litters that we will test this theory with. We will test at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 weeks.
We have an adult in with our positive colony to see if they can turn the adult positive. Additionally, we have a baby in with a positive to see if he will remain negative or inevitably get it also.
How do we quarantine RBF rats?
We are currently testing a few theories out. We have our negative rats in plastic containers with plenty of holes punched. They are housed alone and have been within 1” of other containers, both positive and negative. We use the same litter scooper and have used the same glove to clean one cage to another. We do keep food and water dishes separate and wash as needed. We use a community food bin that we pull from the same hand for all cages. We have also pet rats then moved onto the next bin. It would seem that RBF has not spread to one another regardless of age this way.
How easy is it to spread when they are young?
We will take some of our babies from these litters at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 weeks to expose them in the below ways to positive rats. 2 rats will be used for each.
2 rats will be placed into the positive cage at each age milestone to see if they become positive, and how quickly
2 rats will be placed in a neutral space with a positive rat to interact for a period of time
2 rats will be syringe fed fecal from a positive rat to see if eating the others poop will cause transfer
2 rats will be housed in an open cage within 1-2” of an open cage of positive rats
2 rats will be housed in a cage with fresh dirty litter and bowls from a positive colony cage
2 rats will be housed in a cage alone and we will clean, pet, play with, and then do the same immediately after with the negative rats
Can an exposed mother pass RBF to babies?
We will be testing current litters on a weekly basis to test this theory.
Can you cross foster using exposed, but negative, mother rats?
We will breed 2 litters of our positive rats and cross foster them in house with our exposed, but negative, momma rats.