Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Bulletin - Winter 2007

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

VDD posts revised draft Categorization Scheme for Antimicrobials for consultation

VDD has revised its categorization for antimicrobial drugs based on their importance in human medicine. This scheme was revised in collaboration with the VDD's Expert Advisory Committee on AMR Risk Assessment, based on comments received on the original document (posted for consultation in 2003) and new research and developmentin this area . For more information, or to provide your comments (until March 31 2007), please visit our Web site at: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/consultation/vet/consultations/amr_ram_hum-med_cover-eng.php.

Advice regarding the use of antimicrobials as growth promotants

In collaboration with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), VDD has published advice to stakeholders on the use of antimicrobials as growth promotants, since some drugs that have been on the market for a long time may no longer be effective at the dose indicated on the label. For more information, please visit our web site at: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/vet/antimicrob/agp_hc_vdd-eng.php.

VDD's Expert Advisory Committee on AMR Risk Assessment

This Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) of experts in risk assessment and antimicrobial resistance is chaired by Dr. Scott McEwen of the University of Guelph. Since its formation in 2005, the EAC has met four times and their most recent deliberation has resulted in the revision of the draft categorization scheme for antimicrobials based on their importance in human medicine. This committee will meet early in the new fiscal year to provide VDD scientists with advice on managing risks related to the use of antimicrobial growth promotants.

VDD out and about

VDD scientists have made presentations at several AMR-related events:

Health Canada's Food Directorate held a seminar in October 2006, where VDD's Dr. Manisha Mehrotra presented "Risk Management Approaches to Contain Antimicrobial Resistance Originating from Food Animals in Canada." At the Health Canada Science Forum, also in October, Drs. Xian-Zhi Li, Manisha Mehrotra, Shiva Ghimire and Lateef Adewoye, of VDD presented a poster on the topic: "Extended-Spectrum b-Lactamases-Producing Bacteria from Food and Companion Animals: an Emerging Issue."

Dr. Li attended the Canadian Committee on Antibiotic Resistance (CCAR) Annual Meeting in October.

Dr. Vasu Dev Sharma of VDD made a presentation at the Atlantic Poultry Conference in February 2007 on the regulatory approach to the use of antimicrobial growth promotants in poultry.

VDD staff will be presenting a paper at the International Union for Health Promotion and Education World Conference in June 2007: "Risk Management for the Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance of Animal Origin in Canada".

In addition, Drs. Li, Mehrotra, Ghimire and Adewoye will have their article "b-Lactam Resistance and b-Lactamases in Bacteria of Animal Origin"published in an upcoming issue of Veterinary Microbiology.

VDD players in the international AMR scene

Besides presenting at the International Union for Health Promotion and Education World Conference in June 2007, VDD staff are also submitting new work proposals to the new Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO) Intergovernmental Task Force on AMR. Canada will be represented on this task force by VDD scientists.