ARS | Publication request: Genomic Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistant Commensal and Food Borne Pathogens Isolated from Animals

Submitted to: ARS Food Safety and Inspection Service Research Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 17, 2009
Publication Date: February 17, 2009
Citation: Frye, J.G., Cray, P.J., Jackson, C.R., Englen, M.D., Meinersmann, R.J., Berrang, M.E. 2009. Genomic Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistant Commensal and Food Borne Pathogens Isolated from Animals. ARS Food Safety and Inspection Service Research Workshop. Feburary 17-19, 2009. Shepherdstown, WV.

Technical Abstract: The Bacterial Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Research Unit developed genomics resources to address goals including: detection of AR genes and MDR plasmid genes, development of techniques for pathogen typing and detection. These are to be used to study the epidemiology of resistant bacteria and to determine genes used by pathogens to survive in the host and the processing environment. To accomplish these goals microarrays were developed for AR and MDR plasmid gene detection, and for investigation of the whole genomes of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, and E. coli. In reaching these goals techniques were developed for AR gene detection, Salmonella and Campylobacter typing and Salmonella detection in food matrices. Also, Salmonella genome content that effects serotype, virulence, pathogenicity and host range was determined as well as genes used for resistance to antimicrobials and sanitizers by it and other pathogens. Regulatory pathways and genes used by these pathogens during host adaptation were also discovered. All of these may be used as targets of future intervention strategies.