Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical human health issue worldwide. Although conversations about AMR causes and solutions often focus on the role of agriculture versus the role of human medicine, the reality is that there are many facets to consider when attempting to understand and address antimicrobial resistance. This session – curated by members of a nationwide team cooperating on a new outreach program titled iAMResponsible – will feature invited experts engaging in conversations about the shared responsibility among food producers and processors, consumers, policy makers and the medical community to understand and address antimicrobial resistance.
Interactive Panel
Moderator
Dr. Amy Schmidt, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Panelists
OneHealth and AMR in Agroecosystems
Dr. Lisa Durso, Research Microbiologist, USDA-ARS Agroecosystem Studies Unit (Lincoln, NE)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a complex issue with communication about it further confused by inconsistent use of terminology across human, animal and environmental systems. During her presentation, Dr. Durso will share her perspective on One Health terminology and “rich points” where differences in interpretations among groups can hinder effective problem solving. She will also discuss the current state of science and recent national and international policies relative to AMR to provide an overview of where we are now and what the future may hold.
Lisa Durso, PhD, is a microbiologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Lincoln, NE. She started her career in human public health, including an Emerging Infectious Disease training fellowship at the Foodborne and Diarrheal Disease Branch at CDC. She moved to agriculture fifteen years ago, working in the Animal Health unit of the Meat Animal Research Center in Nebraska. She currently works in the Soil and Air national program, finding ways to use animal manures to improve soil health while minimizing adverse environmental impacts associated with pathogens and antibiotic resistance.
Antimicrobial Resistance of Foodborne Pathogens – Are Food Processing Environment and Related Activities a Risk Factor?
Dr. Jovana Kovacevic, Food Safety Extension and Research, Oregon State University
This talk will explore antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens in the context of food processing activities and environments. Special emphasis will be placed on the use of antimicrobials in the food manufacturing industry, selective pressures linked to emergence and spread of foodborne microorganisms with reduced susceptibilities to antimicrobials, and co-selection and cross-resistance phenomena.
Dr. Jovana Kovacevic is an Assistant Professor and Food Safety Extension Specialist at the Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center (FIC) in Portland, Oregon. In her current role, Dr. Kovacevic directs the food safety program at the FIC focusing on Listeria research, FSMA-related food safety training, education and outreach activities, and she also co-directs and coordinates the USDA-funded Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety. Her research uses molecular methods and whole genome sequencing to trace, better understand and prevent contamination events in the food chain, with particular focus on Listeria monocytogenes, and sanitizer and antimicrobial resistance in the food chain.
Fostering Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Settings
Dr. Michael Murphy, Veterinary Medical Officer, Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Food and Drug Administration (Rockville, MD)
Dr. Murphy will provide a brief summary of the Center for Veterinary Medicine within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and discuss past and future activities by the FDA to address antimicrobial resistance.
Mike Murphy DVM, JD, PhD, is a Veterinary Medical Officer in the Office of the Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), Food and Drug Administration, DHHS. Mike joined CVM in 2009 after 27 years in veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Minnesota and Texas. He has provided outreach on Fostering Stewardship for CVM’s Antimicrobial Resistance initiative for the past several years.
Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in United States Beef Production
Dr. John Schmidt, Research Microbiologist, USDA-ARS Meat Animal Research Center (Clay Center, NE)
Food-animals receive approximately 80% (by mass) of antimicrobials used in the United States (U.S.). Cattle account for about 43% of the medically important antimicrobials used during U.S. food-animal production. This presentation will summarize the findings from numerous studies performed by the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) examining the antimicrobial resistance impact of these uses throughout the farm-to-fork continuum.
John W. Schmidt PhD is a Research Microbiologist with the Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit at the Untied States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, United States Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) located in Clay Center, Nebraska. Since joining USMARC in 2009 John has lead food safety research projects focused on Salmonella, Shiga-toxigenic E. coli, and antimicrobial resistance. His current research is focused on determining the impact of agricultural antimicrobial use on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance throughout the beef and pork production and processing continuums.
Influence of Policy and Economics on AMR
Dr. Randall Singer, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota
Acknowledgements
The iAMResponsible program and this session are funded by USDA-NIFA Award Nos. 2017-68003-26497, 2018-68003-27467 and 2018-68003-27545.
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