Evaluation of Laboratory Disinfectants in their Effect on the Mouse Gut Microbiota

Study to evaluate the potential for disinfectant chemicals to affect the mouse gut microbiota when used in standard biosecurity practices for handling specific-pathogen-free research mice. Mice were exposed to four different laboratory disinfectants in a manner consistent with exposure through standard mouse handling practices. Microbial community structure of the mouse cecum and feces was characterized using 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses, which included alpha and beta diversity and differential analysis of taxa, were subsequently performed to evaluate the effects of each disinfectant.