Pennsylvania Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistant-enteric Bacteria in Retail Food

Pennsylvania Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistant-enteric Bacteria in Retail Food
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance in human pathogens from contaminated food products including
Salmonella from poultry meat and Acinetobacter from shrimps is of great concern. Pennsylvania
is motivated to participate in National Antimicrobial Monitoring System (NARMS) retail food
surveillance for two reasons. First, the program will enable us to contribute to the FDA's
regulatory oversight for antibiotics, which directly benefits our residents. Second, it will enable
us to strengthen integrated surveillance for enteric bacteria by using whole genome sequencing
to compare bacteria from food samples with bacteria isolated from patients. This comparison
facilitates outbreak investigations, trace-back of contaminated products, and prioritization of
interventions such as facility inspections by regulators. Analyses of integrated genomics data
from food and human sources will also enhance surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in
enteric bacteria. This project will result in better coordination and exchange of data and isolates
with the FDA and expand high resolution detection of and response to emerging drug-resistant
pathogens. improved timelines of the surveillance system. Additionally, our efforts will
improve data quality and completeness of records and will support the use of NARMS findings
to improve One Health antimicrobial stewardship in food production and healthcare settings.