GUIDELINES FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS IN RODENT PROTECTION TESTS

The rodent protection test (RPT) is used in antimicrobial research to confirm the in vivo efficacy of novel antibacterial, antiviral and ant ifungal agents. The RPT may involve lethal infection and thus has the potential to cause significant suffering. These Guidelines recommend r efinements to the RPT which reduce animal use to a minimum and suggest cardinal clinical signs which act as predictors of lethality. Early r ecognition of these signs is imperative to minimize suffering, allow i dentification of humane end points and permit timely euthanasia. Const ructive suggestions for the improvement of these Guidelines are welcom ed.