Antimicrobial resistance (AR), and in particular multi-drug resistance (MDR), is increasing in many different microorganisms recovered from a wide variety of sources including the environment, humans and animals.  Global dissemination and zoonotic transmission of resistance genes and bacteria occur regularly. The environment is increasingly recognized as a major player in the AR story and the ecological importance of microbial communities and the resistance attributes therein are an exciting area of study.  The diagnostic laboratory, particularly the veterinary diagnostic laboratory, provides this new area of study and is also critically important as new and emerging diseases, resistance attributes, resistant gene combinations, and other confounding attributes are discovered. Additionally, AR is the focus of the World Health Assembly and many countries are adopting action plans on the issue; AR surveillance systems are also being implemented.  In 2008 the WHO established the Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AGISAR) to support their efforts to minimize the public health impact of AR associated with the use of antimicrobials in food animals.  Over 30 international experts comprise the group who support WHO and other countries in implementing the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP).

http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA68/A68_20-en.pdf?ua=1).

Finally, the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) has added a new dynamic to the field with respect to identification of resistance genes and use in surveillance.  The challenges and benefits of using WGS in routine surveillance will be discussed.

This symposium presents new program information including the latest advances/knowledge on AR from an ecological perspective involving the veterinary diagnostic laboratory followed by international perspectives on surveillance systems including an overview of AGISAR from the WHO. The symposium will conclude with the challenges and benefits associated with implementing whole genome sequencing for surveillance.

Presentations