Prototype Reporting and Veterinarian and Animal Owner Educational Materials for Cases of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria of Public Health Importance in Companion Animals Companion animals uniquely share their living environment with their owners. Both direct and environmental zoonotic transmission, as well as reverse zoonotic transmission, of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacterial pathogens can occur between animals and owners. Approaches and tools within the veterinarian-client-patient relationship are needed for veterinarians to respond to AMR bacteria of public health importance in companion animals and exercise antimicrobial drug stewardship in veterinary medicine. Veterinarians also need to be equipped with materials for educating owners about the risks and proper public health information sources. In this project, education booklets will be developed for both the veterinarian and the owner of the companion animal diagnosed with a targeted AMR pathogen. The brochure design will built on related experiences in hospital associated infection control in public health settings. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories can uniquely serve as a source of educational materials for veterinarians and animal owners, and a source of data on AMR in companion animals for public health authorities in individual U.S. states. In this project, a best practice protocol will be developed for optimal storage of AMR isolates within a laboratory for future epidemiologic tracing and outbreak investigation, optimal methods for internal laboratory recording and addressing of AMR isolates, and logistical case-reporting to state public health authorities. The protocols will be designed to fit within the constraints of client confidentiality and business operation of a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The education booklets and protocols will be developed for cases of each carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas spp., and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in companion dogs, cats, and horses. Two of the U.S. Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) laboratories will work together to accomplish the project objectives.
Prototype Reporting and Veterinarian and Animal Owner Educational Materials for Cases of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria of Public Health Importance in Companion Animals Antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacterial pathogens can be transmitted between companion animals, such as horses, dogs, and cats, and their owners. Protocols for recording and reporting isolates of such bacteria by veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and educational materials for the veterinarians and owners of the affected animals will be developed.
