Ohio ADDL December 2020 Newsletter

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Ohio Department of Agriculture   -   December 2020

In This Issue

- AMR Awareness

- Cold Weather Shipping


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Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

8995 East Main Street Building #6

Reynoldsburg, OH 43068

Phone: (614) 728-6220

Fax: (614 ) 728-6310

Email: 

animal@agri.ohio.gov


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ADDL and Antibiotic Awareness

Dominika Jurkovic, Ph.D., Laboratory Scientist 3, Bacteriology 

Last month World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week were observed November 18-24th. The goal of these week-long campaigns is to raise awareness of the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage responsible use of antibiotics. AMR occurs when bacteria and fungi evolve to protect themselves from antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans, livestock and agriculture have all contributed to the rise of AMR. Combating AMR requires a One Health approach: multiple sectors working together, at the state, federal, and global level, to slow the rise of AMR.

 

The ADDL is a member of several collaborative networks that are all working on the problem of AMR: The FDA GenomeTrakr network, the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), and the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN). The GenomeTrakr network consists of federal, state, university, and international laboratories that utilizes Whole Genome Sequencing for pathogen identification and outbreak investigations. Predictions for AMR can be predicted based on the DNA sequence of an organism. This genetic information can be used to monitor resistance and how AMR patterns have and continue to change over time. NAHLN is a network of federal, state, and university-associated animal health laboratories that collaborate to provide disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and the capability and capacity needed to respond to an animal disease outbreak. As a Level 1 Laboratory within NAHLN, ADDL is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and can provide testing for several significant animal diseases. Since 2018, ADDL has participated in the NAHLN AMR Pilot Project which aims to monitor AMR profiles in routinely identified animal pathogens by developing a centralized data collection and reporting process. A similar effort to monitor AMR in veterinary pathogens is coordinated by Vet-LIRN, a network of state and university-associated veterinary diagnostic laboratories that work together to promote human and animal health. Vet-LIRN provides information to owners and veterinarians, laboratory capacity for testing, training opportunities, and investigates issues with animal feed or drugs. ADDL provides testing for Vet-LIRN when investigating animals, or humans, that may have become ill from contaminated animal feed. ADDL has conducted testing for Vet-LIRN investigations of raw pet food contaminated with Listeria and Salmonella and well as a multi-state outbreak of multi-drug resistant Campylobacter linked to contact with pet store puppies. These and many other organizations play a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by increasing antimicrobial resistance. ADDL will continue to participate in these efforts and encourages all to practice safe antimicrobial use.


Cold Weather Shipping of Samples to the Lab

Freezing temperatures

 

Kathy Mockler, ADDL Laboratory Scientist, Bacteriology Section 

 

As we start experiencing cooler fall and winter temperatures, it’s important to review shipping requirements for submitting samples to ADDL during the winter months. Two sample types in particular can suffer from the colder seasonal temperatures encountered during shipping:

 
NOTE: Please review the expiration dates of your transport media to prevent samples from being rejected due to expired media.

 
Tritrichomonas pouch submissions should be sent overnight with enough warm packs to maintain a temperature of at least 15°C, preferably 15-37°C, during shipment.

 
Serum samples need to be packaged to prevent freezing during transit. 

 
Other samples continue to ship overnight with ice in an insulated container.

Bovine

Happy Holidays

The Ohio ADDL will be closed on Friday, December 25, 2020 in observance of Christmas, and Friday, January 1, 2021 in observance of New Year's Day. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

 

If you need to contact us regarding an urgent matter, please use our after hours phone number: (888) 456-3405.