Transfer of soiled bedding to sentinel cages is generally an effective way to detect the presence of mouse hepatitis virus in a colony.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough information
• D. Only with additional testing

Answer: (A)

MHV is shed in feces and other secretions, so soiled bedding can carry infectious viral particles. When that bedding is transferred to sentinel cages, the sentinel mice are exposed to the virus via the fecal-oral route. If the colony has MHV, sentinels typically become infected and later develop antibodies that can be detected with serology, providing a practical, cost-effective way to monitor the colony without testing every mouse. This approach is widely used and valuable because it leverages natural shedding and allows early indication of infection; however, it requires an exposure period long enough for infection and antibody development, and results should be confirmed with additional testing or colony investigations as needed.