Establishing an In Vivo Imaging Capability in High Containment

Whole body imaging technologies, coupled with the generation of stable light emitting strains of infectious agents, make it possible to monitor the location and kinetics of agent growth inside an animal by noninvasive nonterminal methodologies throughout the course of the infection. However, imaging of viable hazardous pathogens, such as Yersinia pestis, requires specialized containment facilities to prevent contamination of both personnel and the wider environment. Here we describe the successful establishment of an in vivo bioimaging capability specifically addressing the requirement for safe and secure work with hazard group 3 pathogens and demonstrate its utility for imaging mice infected with a bioluminescence producing strain of Y. pestis.