One Health; Epidemiology of natural and deliberate contaminants (infectious and toxicities) in animals and animal food

Project Summary In the United States, food destined for pet consumption usually is safe for both the pets and the people who handle the food. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its spread are crucial issues. Understanding improving AMR detection and its spread is an essential issue. The ability to be ready to respond to old new pathogens is paramount. It is clear from the current pandemic, where SARS-CoV-2 has sicked and killed millions of people worldwide. It also has sickened pets, many species held in zoo collections, and seems to have found a reservoir in deer. The extent of the problem is still not fully recognized. The University of Georgia (UGA) is committed to promoting, training, and conducting research in all areas of animal, human and environmental health. The College of Veterinary Medicine and the State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) have a duty to the state and its constituents to diagnose, monitor trends, and report unusual disease presentations or patterns. The AVDL laboratory is supported by our institution obtained CLIA accreditation in 2020 and started performing human COVID19 PCR testing in August of that year to help the UGA community continue its teaching, research, and service missions. Moreover, the PI implemented saliva testing in January 2021 to improve sample collection and surveillance participation. We have processed over 80,000 human samples, and testing continues today. Our service to the veterinary community did not waver during this time. In addition to the regular veterinary diagnostic service, the molecular section also tested and found pets and zoo species sickened by SARS-CoV-2. Our laboratory has expertise in pathology, bacteriology, parasitology, virology, serology, and molecular biology, including high throughput platform testing as demonstrated with COVID19 testing. Our faculty and staff are highly qualified and are devoted to animal and public health. Our commitment is evident in our participation in many programs at the state and national levels. We are one of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and participate in all NAHLN surveillance and antimicrobial resistance testing and sequencing. In addition, we have participated in other cooperative agreements with the FDA assessing the presence of Salmonella in turkey-based pet treats and engaging in an epidemiological study looking at the prevalence of Salmonella in dog and cat feces and the potential risk factors for Salmonella carriage. We are also an FDA bacterial isolate source laboratory for their antimicrobial continued resistance testing project. Furthermore, we are currently in the last year of our second competitive renewal of this infrastructure grant, for which hereby we are seeking renewal. We have been very responsive to all the requirements of this grant to date. Therefore, Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the PI in this application are uniquely positioned to assist the FDA in meeting the critical goals of the project described in this competitive renewal.