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The long-term goal of this project is to identify and characterize the role of various chemical interventions in food animal production systems including biocides and micronutrients on the emergence of biocide and heavy metal resistant foodborne pathogens and their epidemiological association and significance to emergence and persistence of antimicrobial resistant (Multi-drug) foodborne pathogens, particularly Salmonella. <P>
The specific objectives of the project are to: <OL> <LI> Determine the association of biocide and heavy metal micronutrient intervention in swine production with the occurrence and persistence of multi-drug resistant Salmonella. <LI> Determine the association of biocide (three types of disinfectants) and other micronutrient interventions in swine production environment with the occurrence of biocide and heavy metal resistant Salmonella strains and co-occurrence with multi-drug resistance.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Salmonella serovars are among the most important foodborne pathogens with broad host range and reservoirs of multi-drug resistance. We believe this work will enable us to identify important risk factors for occurrence and persistence of multi-drug reistant Salmonella in swine production.
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APPROACH: We will use a group (barn) randomized controlled study. We will assign 12 barns for each of the three classes of biocides and 12 hot water control barns. We will collect fecal, and feed specimens to measure covariates (heavy metals) and outcome variables (Salmonella prevalence and susceptibility). Sampling will be done in six replicates from four production systems. We will use multiple regression based multilevel modeling for repeated measures to determine the significance of the exposure and covariates on MDR Salmonella at the barn (continuous) and individual (dichotomous) levels.