Pathology Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Pathology Lab located?
The Comparative Pathology Laboratory in CCMS is located in Annenberg Building Floor 26-Room 92.

What are the hours?
The lab is open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Fridays. Sample submission should be made before 2pm. Please contact the lab before submitting samples.

What are the services provided by the Pathology Lab in CCMS?
The services provided by the Pathology Lab in CCMS are:

• Necropsy, histopathology, pathologic phenotyping in large and small lab animals (includes interpretation by comparative pathologist)
• Parasitology
• Hematology*
• Biochemistry*
• Bacteriology*
• Serology*
• Molecular biology-PCR for pinworms and Helicobacter spp. in rodents*

*May be sent to an outside laboratory

How much do services cost?
Please contact the lab at 212-241-1498 or e-mail virginia.gillespie@mssm.edu or ying.dai@mssm.edu for the most current price list.

What is the sample volume required for CBC analysis, and what is the additive used for it?
For CBC the volume required for performing the test is 100 microliters blood collected in EDTA.

What is the sample volume required for Chemistry analysis?
For Chemistry analysis, the volume for each test required is between 30-250 microliters depending of the panel requested.

What is the sample volume required for Rodent Serology Panels?
The volume required for rodent serology panels varies depending of the number of virus antibodies requested per panel. At least 100 microliters of serum is necessary for MFIA serology.

What type of sample is required for PCR (pinworm or Helicobacter) detection?
Sterile collected rodent pellets (feces) in a sterile tube are required.

What is the IMPACT Test?

• The IMPACT (Infectious, Microbe, PCR, Amplification Test) tests biological specimens for murine pathogens such as cell lines, tumor cells, or hybridomas before they are injected into the rodents.
• The test is performed by RADIL IDEXX Laboratory at the University of Missouri.

What is the method for collection and preparation for testing the murine pathogens in biological specimens (culture cells, hybridomas, and tumor cells) for the IMPACT Test?
To test biological specimens or cultured cells by the IMPACT, send one cryovial of each sample containing a minimum of 2x10⁶ cells/vial. Cells may be in the form of a pellet or in growth media, freeze media or phosphate-buffered saline. To test liquid samples by the IMPACT, it is optimal if you send one cryovial of each sample with 0.5 ml of sample/vial. However, smaller volumes of sample can also be evaluated if limited amounts of the sample are available. Please call if you have questions about sample size. Collection of material for IMPACT testing should be performed aseptically to prevent inadvertent contamination of the samples.

What is phenotyping?
Phenotyping is a comprehensive comparison between genetically engineered mouse strains and controls to provide information on any phenotypic variations. This generally includes hematology, serum chemistry, and full necropsy (gross and microscopic) with organ weights. A minimum of 2 mice, per gender and per genotype is required and mice of different ages may be submitted for developmental/time dependent phenotypes. Consultation with a comparative pathologist is required prior to submission for phenotyping.

How do I submit specimens for anatomic pathology?
Live mice may be submitted to the lab for euthanasia, gross and/or histopathologic examination. Please contact the lab to arrange an appointment to bring the mice. Mice cannot be kept overnight in the pathology lab. Necropsy of large animals (NHP, pigs, etc.) can be performed by a pathologist in the necropsy suites by arrangement.

• Sick animals (spontaneous disease) must be evaluated by clinical veterinary staff and are not to be submitted directly to the lab without a veterinarian’s evaluation.
• Tissue samples for histopathology should be fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and the volume of the fixative should be 10 times higher than the tissue size. It is highly recommended that the lungs be inflated with the fixative and intestines infused with formalin before submerging in the fixative. Please contact the lab for details and if training in these techniques is needed.

Where are the Necropsy Rooms in CCMS?
The CCMS necropsy rooms are located in Annenberg Building Room 26-93 and East Building S1-27 H.

What is the lab equipment?
The CPL is equipped with modern lab instruments, which includes:

• Serology Instruments: BioPlex 200 (MFIA)
• Histology Processor: Sakura Tissue-Tek VIP
• Embedding Paraffin Center: Leica EG1150
• Gene AMP PCR equipment: Perkin Elmer
• Microscopes:
  
  
  • Individual (light, phase-contrast, fluorescent )
  • Double-headed with digital camera system
  • Dissecting microscope