RCMS – Molecular epidemiology

 

Farm-slaughterhouse contamination sources
Use of molecular characterization, systemic and geomatics analysis tools of stakeholders for identification of major vectors and sources of contamination by bacteria and viral indicators at farm and slaughterhouse levels.

Director: D^r Ann Letellier

Aim :

Identify vectors and sources of microbial contamination between swine herds and slaughterhouse using geomatic, genomic and systemic tools.

Specific objectives:

1. Select a geographical region, covering slaughterhouse, transport network (stakeholders) and ten farms. Proceed by identifying the relationship between the stakeholders.
2. Develop sampling protocol and methods for Salmonella, E. coli and virus indicators
3. Collect spatio-temporal data using devices installed in different machineries and stakeholder equipment at ten farms connected to the slaughterhouse in order to produce geostatistical analyzes
4. Perform periodic sampling to isolate and characterize micro-organism indicators in a spatio-temporal manner. PCR and gene probes will be used to identify virulence factors of specific bacterial indicators. Molecular approaches will be used to establish the degree of relatedness between virus and bacteria isolates at different stages of food chain process. By means of genetic fingerprints of selected microorganisms, relationships will be established between people displacement/vectors and all other useful information collected concerning stakeholders. All interdependencies between stakeholders will be studied in order to better understand the existent situation, and focus on interventions related to the real impact of contamination by micro-organisms in a “from farm to table” approach.
5. Geostatistical analysis of combined data will be cross referenced by microbiological data and macroscopic elements such as ground topology and transportation routes as well as people and equipment movement. Advanced geomatics monitoring techniques will sustain the presentation and results sharing.

To learn more: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Master	Alexandra-Elayiz HENRY
Supervisor	Philippe Fravalo
Co-supervisors	Ann Letellier and Sylvette Laurent-Lewandowski

 

Master	Gabriel Desmarais
Supervisor	Ann Letellier
Co-supervisors	Philippe Fravalo and John Fairbrother

Scientific partners

John Fairbrother
Prevtech Microbia Inc.

Master	Virginie Lachapelle
Supervisor	Yvan L’Homme
Co-supervisors	Julie Brassard and Ann Letellier

Scientific partners

ACIA