CDC’s laboratory animals are used for infectious disease biomedical research in the broad classification categories of virology, bacteriology, mycology, immunology, and parasitology. Predominate clinical activities include scheduled physicals, splenectomies, and general veterinary procedures to ensure the health and well-being of the research animals.

The CDC program is unique because it is partnered with a major academic institution and specialized training in biocontainment is a part of the core program. The program is best described as a stacked 2 plus 2 program. The first two years are dedicated to completing the ACLAM recognized laboratory animal medicine residency program. After completion of the residency program, individuals are required to complete an additional two years of biocontainment training and experience at the CDC. There is also an opportunity for individuals to obtain a part of their biocontainment training at other federal research facilities while enrolled in the CDC Program. The opportunity to obtain a part of their biocontainment training at other federal research facilities while completing the CDC program is determined by the CDC residency program manager.

Currently there is a national shortage of veterinarians, a greater shortage of veterinarians with experience in laboratory animal medicine, and an even greater shortage of veterinarians with biocontainment experience. This program is important because it will meet the growing needs of the CDC to fully staff its new high containment laboratories with experienced laboratory animal medicine veterinarians. Additionally, the program also has the potential to meet the growing need to provide experienced and trained laboratory animal medicine veterinarians to support biocontainment laboratories within the HHS and also on a national basis.

Critical to the mission and organization of CDC is the Coordinating Center for Infectious Disease (CCID) and within CCID, the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID). NCEZID provides national leadership in the identification, investigation, diagnosis, prevention, and control of infectious diseases. As the national infectious disease laboratory of the public health service, NCEZID conducts research in the definition, characterization, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of those infectious diseases that are considered public health priorities. NCEZID has developed expertise in detecting rare, exotic, or unusual diseases and is recognized for extensive capabilities in vector-borne diseases. NCEZID also provides reference laboratory services, laboratory surveillance, technical assistance, and epidemiological aid to states and nations throughout the world in the diagnosis, control, and prevention of infectious diseases. NCEZID internationally-recognized research scientists, physicians, veterinarians, and others are engaged in research training, and control activities that are both national and worldwide in scope. The animal care and use program in the Atlanta area is closely aligned with the NCEZID. CDC’s laboratory animals are used for infectious disease biomedical research in the broad classification categories of virology, bacteriology, mycology, immunology, and parasitology. Currently, 180 research protocols are approved for animal research by 66 principal investigators (PIs) in two Atlanta-area locations

Crystal H. Johnson, Congrong Miao, Elisabeth G. Blanchardb, Hayat Caidib, Gertrud U. Radub, Jennifer L. Harcourtb, Lia M. Haynes:
Chemokine Receptor CX3CR1 Deficiency Alters Innate Cell Recruitment Following Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Lindsay Livingston, Elizabeth Sweeney, James Mitchell, Wei Luo, Katherine Paul, Nathaniel Powell, R. Michael Hendry, Janet McNicholl and Ellen Kersh:
Hormonal synchronization of the menstrual cycles of pigtail macaques to facilitate biomedical research including modeling HIV susceptibility

Jessica D Ayers, Paul A Rota, Marcus L Collins, and Clifton P Drew. Alternatives to Retro orbital Blood Collection in Hispid Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus)