A systematic approach toward progressive improvement of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems in food and agriculture sectors.

The first Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), published in 2016, identified the need to develop capacity for AMR surveillance and monitoring in food and agriculture sectors. As part of this effort, FAO has developed the "Assessment Tool for Laboratories and AMR Surveillance Systems" (FAO-ATLASS) to assist countries in systematically assessing their AMR surveillance system in food and agriculture. FAO-ATLASS includes two different modules for surveillance and laboratory assessment.

Spread of the colistin-resistance gene in through plasmid transmission and chromosomal transposition in French goats.

Introduction: Colistin-resistance widely disseminated in food-producing animals due to decades of colistin use to treat diarrhea. The plasmid-borne gene has been extensively reported from bovine, swine and chicken worldwide, but smaller productions such as the goat farming sector were much less surveyed.

Methods: We looked for colistin-resistant isolates presenting plasmid-borne genes of the mcr family in both breeding (=80) and fattening farms (=5).

Temporal variations in fecal indicator bacteria in bathing water and sediment in a coastal ecosystem (Aytré Bay, Charente-Maritime, France).

This study presents the fecal contamination dynamic at the two bathing sites of Aytré Bay (Charente Maritime, France). We quantified fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) abundances (Escherichia coli and enterococci) from water and sediment samples over one-year survey. Then we measured biological (bacterial abundance, chlorophyll-a), physico-chemical (dissolved nutrients and oxygen, salinity, pH …) and climatic (temperatures, rainfall and tidal coefficient) parameters.

QTest: A new way to easily sample, store, and ship samples to perform Q fever PCR analysis on bulk tank milk.

Bulk tank milk (BTM) is an easy, inexpensive, and representative sample for detection of infections (Q fever) in dairy herds using real-time PCR. Bulk tank milk PCR can be performed either for initial herd screening or for monitoring the effectiveness of preventive measures. However, one major limitation under field conditions is the need to deliver BTM samples in adequate condition (quickly, safely, and under refrigeration) to a qualified laboratory.

Staphylococcus aureus from 152 cases of bovine, ovine and caprine mastitis investigated by Multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA).

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main etiological agents of mastitis in ruminants. In the present retrospective study, we evaluated the potential interest of a previously described automated multiple loci Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) Assay (MLVA) comprising 16 loci as a first line tool to investigate the population structure of S. aureus from mastitis.

High throughput multiple locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) of Staphylococcus aureus from human, animal and food sources.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen, a relevant pathogen in veterinary medicine, and a major cause of food poisoning. Epidemiological investigation tools are needed to establish surveillance of S. aureus strains in humans, animals and food.

ermB-mediated erythromycin resistance in Streptococcus uberis from bovine mastitis.

The ermB gene was identified in 111 erythromycin resistant isolates of Streptococcus uberis from cases of bovine mastitis associated either with a constitutive (47/111) or an inducible (64/111) phenotype, as well as a phenotypic resistance to all macrolides tested. Resistance to lincosamides was identified in 14 other isolates of S. uberis from bovine mastitis cases and was mainly mediated by the linB gene; resistance conferred by a combination of two genes (linB-lnuD, ermB-linB) was also detected.