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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191019
Title: NARMS, VETNET AND CAHFSE

Author
item Jackson, Charlene
item Frye, Jonathan
item Englen, Mark
item Bailey, Joseph
item Meinersmann, Richard - Rick
item Berrang, Mark
item Cray, Paula

Submitted to: Advances in Pre-harvest Reduction of Salmonella and Poultry
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/2005
Publication Date: 8/25/2005
Citation: Jackson, C.R., Frye, J.G., Englen, M.D., Bailey, J.S., Meinersmann, R.J., Berrang, M.E., Cray, P.J. 2005. Narms, vetnet and cahfse. Advances in Pre-harvest Reduction of Salmonella and Poultry. August 25-26, 2005. Athens, Georgia.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The use of antimicrobials in animals is thought to increase the level of resistant bacteria which could potentially spread to humans, however very little scientific data is available to determine the impact of animal practices on human health. The Bacterial Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Research Unit in Athens GA participates in surveillance and analysis programs to investigate this problem. The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) is a multi-agency project involving USDA-ARS, -FSIS, -APHIS, FDA-CVM, and the CDC which collects isolates through out the US. The goal of NARMS is to provide descriptive data on trends of prevalence and resistance in zoonotic and commensal enteric bacteria. Collaboration in Animal Health Food Safety and Epidemiology (CAHFSE) is a joint effort among three USDA agencies (APHIS, ARS and FSIS) which collects bacteria from the farm to the processing plant over time. CAHFSE will supply a detailed analysis of rearing practices, levels of bacteria, antimicrobial resistance over time from farm to fork. All animal isolates are then analyzed for resistance, and genotyped by VetNet which uses PFGE analysis for comparison with data from human sample collected by PulseNet (CDC). This will allow the tracking of outbreaks and an improved understanding of the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance. The information collected will be used by members of the agricultural industry and regulatory agencies to devise strategies to arrest the development and spread of resistance among food borne pathogens.