Identification of Wildlife and Domestic Animal Bacterial Pathogens in Wyoming - IDENTIFICATION OF WILDLIFE AND DOMESTIC ANIMAL BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN WYOMING PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory (WSVL) is based within the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Wyoming. The WSVL mission is to promote animal and human health in the region through diagnostic medicine and disease surveillance. The WSVL is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and maintains capabilities in pathology, serology, parasitology, virology, bacteriology, and sequencing. As an AAVLD-accredited laboratory, WSVL ensures results are accurate, reproducible, and timely. Bacterial isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) from clinical and autopsy samples are vital services provided by the WSVL bacteriology section. This proposal aims to further build capacity in this important area to promote human and animal health. Specifically, we will, 1. improve matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identification of bacterial organisms from mammals and fish that cannot currently be identified to the species-level, 2. Combine AST and genomic sequencing on isolates to fully characterize resistant strains and genes. The WSVL is currently building capacity to enhance its diagnostic capabilities for both domestic animal and wildlife testing. Association of phenotypic and genotypic profiles will support a better understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms in fish pathogens given the lack of clinical breakpoints and laboratory standards for performing AST in aquatic species. The research will significantly improve capacity at the WSVL. Specific goals include expanding bacterial whole genome (WGS) sequencing capacity, developing a custom MALDI-TOF MS reference library for wildlife and domestic animal pathogens to improve species level identification of bacterial organisms from clinical samples, and AMR genomic surveillance. Furthermore, with the capacity to perform WGS on bacterial pathogens, the WSVL will be well positioned to participate in the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network AMR monitoring programs.
