The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published its annual report summarizing sales and distribution data for all antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals. The report shows that sales and distribution of all antimicrobials increased 1 percent from 2014 through 2015, tying for the lowest annual increase since 2009. The percentage of those antimicrobials that are considered medically important in human medicine increased by 2 percent from 2014 through 2015. [Source: FDA CVM, December 22, 2016]
Monthly Archives: December 2016
Update on Implementation of FDA’s Guidance for Industry #213
In preparation for implementing the changes outlined in Guidance for Industry #213 (GFI #213), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued three Federal Register documents to update the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) reflecting changes being made to new animal drug applications affected by GFI #213. [Source: FDA CVM, December 23, 2016]
National Institute of Food and Agriculture Grant Provides Training for Rural Veterinarians
Researchers from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine have received a nearly quarter-million dollar federal grant to improve rural veterinariansâ awareness of endemic, transboundary and emerging diseases of production animals. [Source: High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, December 25, 2016, by Bill Felber]
Position Announcement: Associate Veterinarian
Pork Veterinary Solutions is seeking a Swine Veterinarian with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree and licensed in Indiana to join our practice in New Palestine, Indiana. The Swine Veterinarian will be responsible for providing consulting health and production services to the swine industry. New graduates are encouraged.
Registration Opens for 2017 AASV Annual Meeting
We hope you’ve already made your lodging arrangements for the AASV 2017 Annual Meeting – now it’s time to register for the conference itself! Online registration has just opened for the meeting, to be held February 25-28 in Denver, Colorado where presentations will address the theme, “One World, One Health, One Passion for Pigs.” Conference details, including registration, lodging, and the scientific program are available at www.aasv.org/annmtg . It pays to register early – after February 3, the member registration rate takes a BIG jump – so don’t wait! Printed registration materials are being mailed to all AASV members, and should arrive in most members’ mailboxes within the next couple of weeks (they’re included with JSHAP for international and student members who receive mailed journals). See you in Denver!
Applications Due December 31 for $5000 AASVF-Merck Scholarships
The AASV Foundation is pleased to announce that Merck Animal Health has renewed its support for the $25,000 AASVF-Merck Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. Now in its second year, the program seeks to identify and assist future swine veterinarians with their educational expenses. Applications are due December 31, 2016 for scholarships that will be awarded in early 2017.
Antimicrobial Resistance of Faecal Escherichia coli Isolates from Pig Farms with Different Durations of In-feed Antimicrobial Use
Antimicrobial use and resistance in animal and food production are of concern to public health. The primary aims of this study were to determine the frequency of resistance to 12 antimicrobials in Escherichia coli isolates from 39 pig farms and to identify patterns of antimicrobial use on these farms. Further aims were to determine whether a categorization of farms based on the duration of in-feed antimicrobial use (long-term versus short-term) could predict the occurrence of resistance on these farms and to identify the usage of specific antimicrobial drugs associated with the occurrence of resistance. Escherichia coli were isolated from all production stages on these farms; susceptibility testing was carried out against a panel of antimicrobials. Antimicrobial prescribing data were collected, and farms were categorized as long term or short term based on these. Resistance frequencies and antimicrobial use were tabulated. Logistic regression models of resistance to each antimicrobial were constructed with stage of production, duration of antimicrobial use and the use of 5 antimicrobial classes included as explanatory variables in each model. The greatest frequencies of resistance were observed to tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole and streptomycin with the highest levels of resistance observed in isolates from first-stage weaned pigs. Differences in the types of antimicrobial drugs used were noted between long-term and short-term use farms. Categorization of farms as long- or short-term use was sufficient to predict the likely occurrence of resistance to 3 antimicrobial classes and could provide an aid in the control of resistance in the food chain. Stage of production was a significant predictor variable in all models of resistance constructed and did not solely reflect antimicrobial use at each stage. Cross-selection and co-selection for resistance was evident in the models constructed, and the use of trimethoprim/sulphonamide drugs in particular was associated with the occurrence of resistance to other antimicrobials. ImpactsHigh frequencies of antimicrobial resistance were detected to tetracycline (63.8%), trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (44.8%) and streptomycin (44.1%) in E. coli isolated from Irish pig herdsThe frequency of resistance in isolates from pigs of slaughter age was generally lower than in isolates from pigs of other ages and therefore pose a lesser potential risk to public healthA simple categorization of farms based on their duration of in-feed antimicrobial use was a predictor of the occurrence of resistance to certain antimicrobials. The use of such a categorization strategy may be beneficial in managing the risks posed by resistant bacteria in the food chain Gibbons JF, Boland F, Egan J, Fanning S, Markey BK, Leonard FC. Antimicrobial Resistance of Faecal Escherichia coli Isolates from Pig Farms with Different Durations of In-feed Antimicrobial Use; Zoonoses Public Health. 2016 May;63(3):241-50. doi: 10.1111/zph.12225. PMID: 26355644 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
Stay on Top of Seneca Valley Virus and More!
Stay Informed with SHIC Are you getting the latest disease information from SHIC? If not, be sure to subscribe now to SHICâs newsletter. Itâs the best way to make sure you donât miss resources such as the full series of webinars reporting on Seneca Valley Virus (SVV) research funded by the SHIC and other sources (including length of shedding, effective disinfection and epidemiological investigations). Itâs also where you learn about first-hand case studies of herd closure to eliminate the virus and the latest on USDA guidance for investigation and responses. Fact sheets on SVV and other Swine Disease Matrix viruses are also found at SHICâs website.
Nominations Open for District Director Positions
Have you ever considered serving the AASV in a governing role? Nominations for the office of AASV District Director are currently being sought in four AASV districts. Nomination cards have been mailed to all eligible voters in districts #2 (southeastern US), #5 (Illinois & Wisconsin), #9 (Minnesota and North Dakota), and #11 (Canada). Potential candidates must be Active AASV members residing in the district to be represented (Affiliate, Associate, and Student Members are not eligible to hold office or vote). Nominations must be returned by mail to arrive in the AASV office by January 12. In each district, the two nominees receiving the most nominations will be placed on the ballot, subject to their consent to serve.
IIAD Bench to Shop Program Accepting Applications
Do you know any early-career faculty, post-doctoral candidates or graduate students who are interested in transboundary animal diseases and desire to gain the skills needed to take research discoveries to the marketplace?