A cobaia (Cavia porcellus) como modelo animal utilizado nos testes de segurança no Laboratório de Controle de Qualidade Biológico do Instituto Butantan: uma breve revisão

Abstract

Historically, the use of animals for research and experimentation has been invaluable for the development and advancement of science. Guinea pigs stand out among animal models for studying a variety of human infectious diseases, including pulmonary, sexually transmitted, ophthalmic, gastrointestinal, and other threatening and often fatal diseases, as well as for discovering potential treatments and ways to prevent them. The Butantan Institute plays a key role in the production and distribution of essential immunobiologicals for public health, since the last century. The quality of these products is ensured through rigorous quality control processes, which include in vivo testing, that is, with animal models. The department responsible for such assays is the Biological Quality Control Laboratory, which conducts biological safety tests, both for toxicological use and for immunizations, such as serums and vaccines. This work aims to conduct a brief literature review on specific toxicity testing and immunogenic activity of the adsorbed diphtheria and tetanus vaccine, as well as the potency testing of antidiphtheric and antivenoms sera, which use guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) as an animal model, emerging as a very important animal model for evaluations of quality control of immunobiological compounds, supported by the remarkable similarity of their immune and hormonal systems with those of humans.