OASIS evaluation of the French surveillance network for antimicrobial resistance in diseased animals (RESAPATH): success factors at the basis of a well-performing volunteer system

Antimicrobial resistance is a One Health issue requiring the development of surveillance systems in the human, environmental and animal sectors. In Europe, the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance on zoonotic pathogens and indicator bacteria in healthy food-producing animals has been implemented on a legal basis, while countries are also expected to extend their surveillance to diseased animals in the frame of national action plans. In this context, evaluating existing antimicrobial resistance surveillance systems in veterinary medicine is important to improve systems in place, but also to help other countries learn from these experiences, understand success factors and anticipate challenges. With this aim, the French surveillance network for antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from diseased animals (RESAPATH) was evaluated using the OASIS assessment tool. Key performance factors included (i) a strong and inclusive central institutional organization defining clear and well-accepted surveillance objectives, scope and procedures, (ii) strong skills in epidemiology and microbiology and (iii) a win-win approach enabling the volunteer participation of 71 field laboratories and where a free annual proficiency testing plays a pivotal role. The main area of improvement of RESAPATH was its time-consuming data management system.