Course

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global concern because drug-resistant infections can kill, spread to others, and impose huge costs on individuals and society. In order to tackle this problem we first need to understand it; we can do this by collecting and sharing high-quality data that is relevant to AMR.

Data relating to AMR means that trends in resistance and antimicrobial use can be monitored and used to make better decisions to help tackle the AMR crisis. As an AMR surveillance professional, you have a key role to play in this surveillance process, whether it is in collecting, analysing or interpreting data, or in using the data to develop new policies and practices.

This Fleming Fund course, Tackling antimicrobial resistance, comprises a series of online modules. The aim of this course is to help you to identify, develop and apply skills and knowledge relevant to your role in order to change and improve your working practice and the practice of people that you work with.

This module, Isolating and identifying bacteria (animal health), describes principles and practices used in a veterinary microbiology laboratory. It covers how bacteria can be isolated and identified from clinical (veterinary) specimens. It emphasises the importance of correct specimen collection and good quality control measures, and focuses on some key pathogens of importance for animal and human health and for AMR surveillance. It also looks beyond routine protocols and describes some more modern technologies for pathogen identification.