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Title: Food Production and Antimicrobial Resistance – The Next 100 Years

Author
item Cray, Paula

Submitted to: International Association for Food Protection
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/30/2011
Publication Date: 7/30/2011
Citation: Cray, P.J. 2011. Food Production and Antimicrobial Resistance – The Next 100 Years. International Association for Food Protection. July 30-August 2, 2011. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Production of food is complex and ensuring the safety of food for human consumption provides serious challenges. Since 1996 the U.S. has conducted surveillance on food borne and commensal antimicrobial resistance bacteria through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System - Enteric Bacteria (NARMS) to prospectively monitor changes in antimicrobial susceptibilities of zoonotic pathogens from human and animal clinical specimens, from healthy farm animals, and from raw product of food-producing animals at slaughter. The surveillance of bacteria and characterization at the phenotypic and genotypic levels also present interesting challenges. Resistance to antimicrobials emerged soon after release. Scientists first developed simple assays to determine if bacterial strains were resistant or susceptible to specific antimicrobials. These tests evolved over the years as technology advanced our understanding of resistance. Currently it is possible to test not only for resistance to specific antimicrobials, but determine incremental changes in resistance over time. Further we are able to determine if resistance genes are present and whether they are being expressed. It is also possible to determine the likelihood that resistance genes can move within and between bacterial genera. Discussion and debate has occurred over the value of certain technologies. If it scientifically valid to draw conclusions regarding resistance if the genes are detected but not a viable isolate? Are there technologies that can be modified or developed that provide a ‘one-test-answer’? These and other challenges will be discussed during this presentation.