The Antimicrobial Resistance and Nosocomial Infections Section (ARNI), led by Dr. Michael Mulvey, provides reference and diagnostic services to provincial public health and hospital laboratories to support outbreak investigations and confirm antimicrobial resistance in numerous pathogens. The ARNI laboratory also identifies and characterizes antimicrobial-resistant organisms for national surveillance programs involving hospital-, community-, and food / water-acquired infections. In addition, research undertaken and technologies / methodologies developed by the Section serve to influence antibiotic usage and infection control procedures. Together, these activities contribute to a reduction in antibiotic-resistant organisms and disease burden in Canada.