[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79865-79866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32378]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration


Susceptibility of Foodborne Pathogens from Humans, Food, and 
Animals

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Veterinary 
Medicine (CVM), announces that funds may be available to support an 
unsolicited grant application submitted by the Fundacion Mexicana para 
la Salud, Int. Hospital O'Horan, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The applicant 
has requested funds to study the epidemiology of Salmonella, 
Campylobacter and generic Escherichia coli in four states in Mexico to 
better define the susceptibility patterns of the pathogens and the risk 
factors associated with drug resistance, particularly quinolone 
resistance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Regarding the administrative and financial management aspects of 
this notice: Peggy L. Jones, Division of Contracts and Procurement 
Management (HFA-520), Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, 
Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-7160. Correspondence hand-carried or 
commercially delivered should be addressed to 5630 Fishers Lane (HFA-
520), rm. 2129, Rockville, MD 20857.
    Regarding the programmatic aspects of this notice: David B. Batson, 
Office of Research (HFV-502), Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and 
Drug Administration, 8401 Muirkirk Rd., Laurel, MD 20708, 301-827-8021.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Objectives

    The specific objectives of the proposed project are to: (1) Develop 
effective surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in foodborne 
pathogens in human, food, and veterinary laboratories at the four 
participating sites; (2) standardize the methods for isolation, 
identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of foodborne 
pathogens at these four sites; (3) determine the prevalence of 
Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and quinolone-resistant generic E. 
coli in asymptomatic and ill humans, poultry, pork, beef, and healthy 
food animals on farms; (4) identify and compare susceptibility profiles 
of the Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., and generic E. coli 
isolates; and (5) assess the importance of direct and indirect contact 
with food-animals as risk factors for quinolone-resistance in these 
isolates.

II. Eligible Applicants

    Assistance will only be provided to the Fundacion Mexicana para la 
Salud because of the following:
    1. The Fundacion Mexicana para la Salud is the only organization 
that submitted an unsolicited application for the purpose stated above.
    2. The project proposed by the applicant specifically addresses the 
National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System objectives in 
general and international objectives for the establishment of an 
international data base.
    3. The knowledge of sources of exposure to drug resistant pathogens 
in Mexico would provide information that could be made available to 
travelers and would also assist in making assessments of the levels of 
fluoroquinolone resistance in domestic cases of illness acquired from 
animal food products imported from Mexico and Guatemala.
    4. An international data base can provide information to the 
international community on the level of antimicrobial drug resistance 
in foodborne pathogens, providing a means for assessing public health 
concerns.
    5. The proposal would benefit CVM and the international community 
in the establishment of an international data base for antimicrobial 
susceptibility and enhance food safety activities globally.

III. Funding

    We anticipate that approximately $371,144, which is the requested 
level of funding, or some lesser amount will be made available in 
fiscal year (FY) 2001 to fund this project. It is expected that the 
award will begin sometime in FY 2001 and will be made for a 12-month 
budget period within a project period of up to 3 years. Funding 
estimates may change. Continuation awards within an approved project 
period will be made on the basis of satisfactory progress as evidenced 
by required reports and the availability of funds.


[[Page 79866]]


    Dated: December 11, 2000.
Margaret M. Dotzel,
Associate Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. 00-32378 Filed 12-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-F