Resources from The American College of Veterinary Pathologists

Current events often involve issues requiring scientific expertise and insights. The American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) is a great resource for you as you're writing stories on many important subjects. Their ability to translate scientific jargon into usable facts will help you share valuable information that's both informative and appropriate.

ACVP members are located throughout the country. They work for government agencies, such as the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, the military, universities and private industry. All provide unbiased expertise that you'll be able to use as you inform your audiences about a variety of topics.

If you would like to contact these individuals, please call Wendy Coe, Executive Director of ACVP,by telephone at 608-443-2466, ext. 149 or by wcoe@acvp.org, or Gary Cockerell, Diplomate and ACVP spokesman.

TOPICS

Animal Models of Human Disease
Naturally occurring or experimentally induced diseases in animals are used to study the mechanism, treatment and prevention of analogous diseases in humans, where such studies are not possible.

Bioterrorism
Biological agents that could potentially be used by terrorists in attacks against human populations are studied in animals to learn how to protect against such attacks.

Specific Types of Disease and Disease Processes
A wide variety of specific types of diseases and disease processes develop in animals. Examples includes cancer (e.g., leukemias, mammary tumors, bone tumors), infectious disease (e.g., Lyme Disease, tuberculosis, ringworm, West Nile Virus), inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, allergy, hypersensitivity, stomach ulcers), metabolic disease (e.g., rickets, osteomalacia, hypothyroidism), parasitic diseases (e.g., malaria, intestinal worms, toxoplasmosis), and toxicities (e.g., arsenic, strychnine, antifreeze poisoning). These diseases are studied to benefit the health and well-being of the animals themselves as well as to better understand similar diseases in humans (see Animal Models of Human Disease, above).

Diagnostic Pathology
Clinical pathology examination of samples such as blood (hematology), serum (chemistry profiles) and urine (urine analysis), and anatomical pathology examination of tissue samples from live or dead animals (biopsy and necropsy, respectively) assists in the diagnosis of disease. These analyses include extensive microscopic examination of tissue as well as the use of sophisticated analytical equipment.

Drug Discovery and Development
Studies are currently underway to test the safety and efficacy of new pharmaceuticals and biological products. These drugs may be intended for use in animals, but more commonly are for use in humans and must undergo rigorous testing in animals before approval for use in humans. ACVP members are integral to the development of these new drugs.

Education and Training
ACVP members develop university programs to provide specialized, in-depth training in veterinary pathology. They also develop programs to provide continuing education courses and scientific symposia that assist veterinarians in clinical practice and to disseminate up-to-date research discoveries.

Exotic Diseases
Animal diseases foreign to the United States (e.g., Foot and Mouth Disease, Monkeypox, Swine Fever, Screw Worm infestation) are studied to develop surveillance and eradication programs. ACVP members are on the front lines of these discoveries, ensuring the protection of both the food supply and human health.

Genetically Engineered Animals
Animals, most commonly mice because of their small size and rapid rate of reproduction, are bred with specific genes missing or new genes inserted to study the effect of those genes on disease. The resulting Ògenetically engineered animalsÓ and the diseases they develop are studied in-depth to determine how they differ from their normal counterparts.

Government and Regulatory Agencies
ACVP members interact with agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, and Centers of Disease Control, to develop policies and procedures, to set local, state and federal priorities that are critical for protecting the health and well-being of animals and humans.

Molecular Pathology
ACVP members are part of an elite group that develop state-of-the-art, contemporary technologies. This includes analysis of genes and their products (e.g., gene chip microarrays, in situ hybridization, proteomics, immunohistochemistry), and procedures to analyze and visualize tissues (e.g., flow cyotometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and imaging, confocal microscopy).

Non-Traditional Animal Species
Amphibians, aquatic and avian species, laboratory animals such as mice, rats and monkeys, wildlife, and zoo animals all have their own normal body functions and specific diseases they develop. Many ACVP members are experts in this area and can be a valuable resource when issues arise related to these species.

Tissue Banking
A wide variety of normal and diseased tissues from animals and humans are collected and stored in various forms in so-called Òtissue banks.Ó Such tissues, which can be stored indefinitely, are extremely valuable for subsequent investigative, and less frequently therapeutic, purposes.

Ultrastructural Pathology
In addition to examination by traditional light microscopy, tissues can be examined at higher magnification using instruments such as the electron microscope. These types of examinations may reveal alterations not visible by light microscopy, leading to a more complete understanding of the cause and mechanism for development of disease.

Zoonotic Diseases
Zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans (e.g., rabies, Lyme Disease, toxoplasmosis, West Nile Virus, monkeypox) are of obvious importance to human health. Studies in animals are important to understand how to diagnose the disease, to understand how it is transmitted to humans, and how to develop procedures to interrupt the spread from animals to humans.

. . . . . . . . .

ACVP HOME | About ACVP | Annual Meeting | Calendar of Events | News & Public Relations | Student Chapters | Training & Education | Certifying Exam | Other Links | Career Opportunities | Members Only | Contact Us

Copyright © 2007, American College of Veterinary Pathologists. All rights reserved.