NARMS Cooperative Agreement Program to Strengthen Antibiotic Resistance

Project SummaryThe New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Wadsworth Center (WC) publichealth laboratory is committed to protecting and improving the health of NewYorkers through laboratory testing analysis, investigations and research.The specific aim of this project will be to improve detection of, and surveillance for,antibiotic resistance for Salmonella, Campylobacter, Enterococcus, Aeromonas, Vibrioand other lactose positive bacteria isolated from food products purchased from selectedgrocery stores. Objectives will be to: 1) collect and test samples for Salmonella,Campylobacter, Enterococcus, Aeromonas, Vibrio and other lactose positive bacteriautilizing microbiological tests; 2) collect, analyze and exchange surveillance data onisolate identifications and provide whole genome sequence data and serotypinganalysis; 3) ship isolates attained from meat and seafood samples for additionaltesting to FDA; and 4) collaborate with FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM),NARMS and state laboratory partners.Outcomes expected from this work include: 1) providing an increase in the totalamount of Salmonella, Campylobacter Enterococcus, Aeromonas, Vibrio and otherlactose positive bacteria isolates from retail meats and seafood that can be analyzed;2) maintaining the ability to compare results to surveillance data and exchangeinformation and test results; 3) providing an increase in the number of isolatessubmitted to the FDA; and 4) increased collaboration and communication amongpartnering entities.