Csu-vdl Participation in Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network

PROJECT SUMMARYColorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Participation in the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response NetworkPD: Pabilonia, Kristy L Institution: Colorado State UniversityCo-PD: Powers, Barb E Institution: Colorado State UniversityToxicologist: Hamar, Dwayne W Institution: Colorado State UniversityBacteriologist: Daniels, Josh Institution: Colorado State UniversityThe Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CSUVDL) is accredited by theAmerican Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) as a full-service, all specieslaboratory. The CSUVDL has a robust Quality System that meets and in most places, exceeds,AAVLD guidelines, which are based on ISO17025 standards. The CSUVDL has strong capabilitiesfor veterinary diagnostic service regionally, nationally and internationally and performs more than500,000 tests per year. The CSUVDL currently serves as a Tier 1 Laboratory for the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and as aSentinel Laboratory for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Laboratory ResponseNetwork (LRN). Colorado State University maintains CDC/USDA Select Agent Registration, whichincludes the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Biosafety Level 3 facility.The CSUVDL is well poised to serve as an active member of the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) program. TheCSUVDL can provide full veterinary diagnostic testing services, including bacteriology, chemistry,toxicology, virology, parasitology and pathology testing and results interpretation. The CSUVDL ishoused in a new, state-of-the-art building with more than 20,000 square feet of laboratory space,including a large necropsy floor, numerous BSL-2 laboratories and a 2,000 square foot Select Agentapproved BSL-3 laboratory. The faculty and staff of the CSUVDL are well trained to analyzeveterinary cases and diagnostic samples using more than 250 diagnostic tests offered by ourlaboratory. In addition, the CSUVDL has an advanced information technology system, including anadvanced Laboratory Information Managements System with the capabilities for sending HL7messages. The CSUVDL routinely contributes to outreach and service activities for animal owners,livestock producers and government agencies. The CSUVDL operates a Field Investigation Unit thatperforms field-based investigations and has coordinated two cases with the Vet-LIRN program. Sinceits acceptance into the Vet-LIRN in 2011, the CSUVDL has been active in all aspects of Vet-LIRNprogram, including participation in diagnostic investigations, participation in proficiency tests andattendance at meetings. For this project, the CSUVDL agrees to continue these activities and assist theVet-LIRN with animal food and drug emergency outbreak testing, provide surge capacities for testingand use standardized Vet-LIRN methodologies.