STUDIES ON ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN BACTERIA OF VETERINARY IMPORTANCE

Project Summary/AbstractThe New York State/Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) is a full-service multidisciplinaryveterinary diagnostic laboratory and the only one of its kind in the northeastern United States. The AHDCreceived over 200,000 client accessions in 2016. The Bacteriology section has MALDI-TOF, Sensititer, Bloodculture machine, BSL3 upgradable workspace and 16S DNA sequencing capabilities, making it a full-servicebacteriology laboratory. Additionally, the AHDC has in-house ISO approved Whole genome sequencingcapacity which are unique to infectious disease laboratories. The Bacteriology laboratory of the AHDCperformed approximately 100,000 tests in the year 2016 on clinical samples, tissue, serum, bacterial isolates,environmental, food, and feed samples. The AHDC has partnered with the FDA and played an active role inpet food and animal feed contamination investigations many times over the past dozen years. We hope tocontinue our participation with the FDA Vet-LIRN program and other network laboratories to: 1) Continue participation in VPO designated sample analyses and surveillance activities to promote animal health and welfare and add to the Vet-LIRN Network's surge capacity to assist in emergency and large-scale outbreak testing. 2) Provide analytical data to support regulatory actions by developing and using standardized methods, equipment platforms, and reporting methods, continued participation in proficiency testing provided by the VPO, continue investigating consumer reported cases as requested by the VPO, and continuing to improve and implement standardized quality management systems as designated by the VPO. 3) Continue to participate in small-scale antibiotic susceptibility testing studies to address emerging antimicrobial resistance issues, and participate in Whole genome sequencing project.The bacteriology section of the AHDC intends to continue cooperative activities with the FDA Vet-LIRN, the Vet-LIRN network, and federal, state, local and tribal organizations to promote animal health and feed and foodsafety and security.