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Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network

Interactive Map of Vet-LIRN Laboratories

 

Our Mission

To advance the CVM mission of protecting human and animal health by coordinating a network of veterinary diagnostic laboratories.

Contact Vet-LIRN: vet-lirn@fda.hhs.gov.

We Respond to Animal Illnesses Potentially Caused by Foods or Drugs

Is your animal sick? Do you think it was the food? Or a drug?

Submit a Complaint


Figure 1. What Happens During a Consumer Complaint Response?

A flow chart showing the process of consumer complaint follow-up. If a consumer has a sick animal and suspects the food or drug, they can submit a complaint to FDA. CVM reviews the complaint and has three possible actions: initiative regulatory action, monitor for similar complaints, or forward to Vet-LIRN. Vet-LIRN requests animal medical records and conducts owner interviews. They also test animal samples at laboratories to determine how likely the food or drug was to cause an illness.

We respond to potential animal food issues, including performing non-regulatory testing (Figure 1).
We are an important part of the food safety team at CVM. 

Learn more about some of our cases:

Vet-LIRN Resources for Animal Owners and Veterinarians

Fiscal Year 2023 Highlights

For more information, visit Vet-LIRN FY 2023 Accomplishment Highlights.

Tracking Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria from Sick Animals

Why track resistance in bacteria?

Antimicrobial resistance is an important public health issue because if bacteria become antibiotic-resistant, many infections will be more difficult to treat. In March of 2015, The first National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB) was released to guide the government, public heath, healthcare, and veterinary partners in addressing antimicrobial resistance. In 2020, the second CARB plan was released. The new plan builds on the plan released in 2015 and presents coordinated, strategic actions that the United States Government will take in 2020-2025 by expanding evidence-based activities that have been shown to reduce antibiotic resistance. It also aligns with CVM’s goals to enhance monitoring of animal pathogen antimicrobial resistance as a part of the CVM’s action plan to support antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings. As part of this plan, Vet-LIRN was tasked to develop, expand, and maintain antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) testing of veterinary pathogens isolated at veterinary diagnostic laboratories. To successfully monitor the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial pathogens, it is vital that veterinary diagnostic laboratories be incorporated into the nation’s other AMR monitoring activities. Vet-LIRN is committed to being a partner in this effort.

Vet-LIRN Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Program Background and Progress

  • During 2017-2018, Vet-LIRN coordinated a two-year pilot project to evaluate the feasibility of using Vet-LIRN veterinary diagnostic laboratories to monitor the antimicrobial susceptibility of three veterinary pathogens: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in dogs and Salmonella enterica in any animal host. Twenty Vet-LIRN Source diagnostic laboratories collected isolates and tested their antimicrobial susceptibility using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) methods. Approximately 5,000 isolates from clinically sick animals were collected and tested. WGS laboratories sequenced a subset of the isolates submitted by their Source labs and uploaded all sequences to National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) through the GenomeTrakr program. Additional information about the pathogen (the organ it came from, the animal species, which part of the country) was reported. A publication summarizing the 2017 findings is available.
  • In 2018-2019 additional labs began collecting and sequencing isolates. As of 2024, there are 30 Source laboratories collecting isolates (25 labs in U.S., and 5 labs in Canada) and six WGS laboratories sequencing the isolates. The overview of the general AMR Monitoring plan procedures is provided in Figure 2. More information about participating Source and WGS laboratories is provided in the Interactive map of Vet-LIRN AMR Monitoring Program participating laboratories.

    Figure 2. Vet-LIRN AMR Monitoring Program: General Plan

    The Source labs collect animal isolates of Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and others. The labs then perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing and generate a standardized lab report of the results. Isolates are sent from the source labs to the Whole Genome Sequencing labs for sequencing. After the isolate is sequenced, the data is submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information for public sharing.

    Interactive Map of Vet-LIRN AMR Monitoring Program Participating Laboratories (Excel version)

  • As of January 2024, Vet-LIRN Source labs collected AST data for more than 25,000 animal pathogen isolates. The overview of the animal pathogens monitored is provided in the Table 1. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing data associated with these isolates are publicly available in an AMR Database (Excel version) which contains the phenotypic testing data for all isolates collected from 2017 to 2022. 
    • Guidance to AMR Database viewers: antimicrobial resistance is extremely complex and driven by many factors. In general, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions by comparing just one year to another. Instead, it is best to look for patterns that emerge over several years.
    • Persons who use these data should cite the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) as the source of the original data. The data in this database is not confidential. Suggested citation: Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vet-LIRN. Laurel, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available from URL: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/science-research/veterinary-laboratory-investigation-and-response-network. Accessed MM/DD/YYYY.
    • People using assistive technology such as a screen reader may not be able to fully access all permutations of the information available in the interactive resistance displays. To gain alternate access to the information, you may download spreadsheets containing the source data. People with disabilities who require further assistance may contact Vet-LIRN@fda.hhs.gov.
  • The data provides a snapshot of the susceptibility of pathogens being cultured at referral veterinary laboratories. 
  • Sequencing data are released in real-time as whole-genome sequencing is conducted. More than 7,500 isolates were sequenced. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing data associated with these isolates are also publicly available. 
  • Vet-LIRN partners with the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) to make the data public (Animal Pathogen AMR Data). This animal pathogen data is reported in conjunction with the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).

Table 1: List of animal pathogens and animal hosts

Bacterial pathogen Animal host AST testing/WGS testing
Salmonella enterica Any animal host yes/yes
Escherichia coli Dogs yes/yes
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Dogs yes/yes
(a) Klebsiella pneumoniae/variicola 
(b) Pseudomonas aeruginosa 
(c) Enterococcus faecalis or faecium 		 (a) Any animal host
(b) Dogs, horses
(c) Dogs, cats, poultry
 		 yes/yes
(d) Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) 
(e) Acinetobacter baumannii complex		 (d) and (e) Dogs & cats yes/yes
(f) Campylobacter coli 
(f) Campylobacter jejuni 
(f) Campylobacter fetus 		 (f) Swine, poultry, cattle, small ruminants, dogs, cats no/yes
AQUA labs: any bacterial pathogen Fish no/yes

Promoting Antimicrobial Stewardship

Along with tracking antimicrobial resistance, Vet-LIRN is working to promote antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary medicine. As described above, antimicrobial resistance is an important public health issue, and use of antimicrobial drugs can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial stewardship involves using antimicrobials appropriately and only when necessary. 

Vet-LIRN supports antimicrobial stewardship efforts by providing funding to veterinary colleges across the United States to work on several projects including:

  • creating collaborative websites and publications with antimicrobial resistance resources,
  • generating veterinary hospital stewardship plans,
  • developing educational materials for veterinary health professionals (including veterinarians, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and veterinary students), and
  • developing educational materials for animal owners and producers.

These materials consist of website content, fliers, videos, online course modules, and other formats to encourage education and appropriate use of antimicrobials in the veterinary community. 

Examples of Stewardship Educational Materials

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) - Website
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Companion Animals - Fliers
One Health Approach for Reporting Veterinary Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales and Other Bacteria of Public Health Concern - Volume 29, Number 6—June 2023 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC
A Multicenter Evaluation of a Metacognitive Framework for Antimicrobial Selection Education - Journal of Veterinary Medical Education

Vet-LIRN Laboratory Funding

Vet-LIRN Cooperative Agreements facilitate participation in Vet-LIRN activities such as consumer complaint response, emergency exercises, proficiency tests, and laboratory accreditation. The agreements also increase the agency’s capability to analyze an increased number of samples in the event of animal food- or drug-related illnesses or other large-scale emergency events that require increased testing of implicated diagnostic or animal food samples. Cooperative agreements allow network laboratories to request additional funds if they are participating in a specific Vet-LIRN project, such as the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Project or if they are conducting whole-genome sequencing (WGS) work, or if their caseload is particularly heavy. Additional funds may also be provided to respond to emerging diseases such as COVID-19.

Ensuring Accurate Results

A scientist is pipetting liquid into a test tube.

Vet-LIRN collaborates with the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN) Division of Food Processing Science and Technology (Moffett Center) and the Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois Institute of Technology to conduct Proficiency Tests (PTs) and Interlaboratory Comparison Exercises (ICEs) to ensure FDA receives accurate test results from our network laboratories. Samples are sent to the laboratories and test results are submitted to Vet-LIRN. After data is evaluated, final reports are provided to the laboratories.

Recent Proficiency Tests and Inter-Laboratory Comparison Exercises

  1. Detecting SARS-COV-2
    Timely to support veterinary diagnostic laboratories’ ability to evaluate the accuracy of their current testing methods.
  2. Detecting Salmonella in dog food
  3. Detecting an Unknown Toxicant in animal tissue
    • Why is this important? It evaluates network laboratories’ ability to identify the cause of an illness (from start to finish) and act to rule out potential issues with animal foods or drugs.

Outreach and Veterinary Student Opportunities

Veterinarians are valuable partners in CVM’s mission to promote animal health and we are committed to building relationships with the next generation of veterinary professionals. Veterinary students can apply for an externship through the FDA Veterinary Clerkship Program to train alongside Vet-LIRN team members. Students will learn more about CVM’s mission and be introduced to the many different roles that veterinarians play within the Center.

Additionally, Vet-LIRN can present virtual lectures to veterinary schools in order to increase awareness among future veterinarians of CVM’s mission and consumer complaint reporting. Please email Vet-LIRN@fda.hhs.gov if you are interested in a presentation to your institution. 

Veterinarians, Want to Learn More?

Vet-LIRN educates veterinarians about how to identify and report suspected animal food issues via webinars and case studies. Vet-LIRN speaks at various conferences and to veterinary interest groups. Please email Vet-LIRN@fda.hhs.gov if you would like Vet-LIRN to speak to your organization.

Preparing for and Responding to Emergencies

Vet-LIRN participates in simulated incidents (exercises) and evaluation of emergency preparedness and response activities. Such activities strengthen Vet-LIRN’s ability to establish and initiate strategies to coordinate the roles and responsibilities of veterinary diagnostics laboratories in real-world emergency events. Knowing the network laboratory capabilities and having routine interactions and exercises with the laboratories is key to any emergency preparedness and response. Vet-LIRN routinely communicates with the following laboratory networks and programs to harmonize and leverage activities and participate in an integrated response to national emergencies: 

Network Laboratory Methods

Vet-LIRN is working to ensure that detailed protocols and procedures of methods developed from grant funding are publicly available. All protocols and procedures published are available at protocols.io.

Publications (Listed past 5 years)

Publications (Vet-LIRN funded) (Listed past 3 years)

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