Clinical instructor (clinical microbiology)

Curriculum vitae PERSONAL INFORMATION Merja Rantala WORK EXPERIENCE October 2009 Present Clinical instructor (clinical microbiology) Head of veterinary clinical microbiology laboratory clinical diagnostics, teaching, research May 2009 October 2009 Associate hospital microbiologist TYKSLAB, Intermuncipality Hospital District of Southwest Finland, (Finland) Hospital microbiologist: clinical diagnostics, quality control assurance, method validation and development November 2008 April 2009 Head of laboratory Food Hygiene Laboratory, Porvoo City, (Finland) head of laboratory with 10 technicians and one academic person, responsible for methodology used for diagnostics of food specimens, quality assurance, method validation, support for community public health officers. November 2006 October 2008 EPIET trainee, National Centre for Epidemiology, Budapest, Hungary ECDC, Stockholm, (Hungary) Outbreak analysis, epidemiological research, teaching, analysing of surveillance data, public health September 2002 October 2006 Reasearch specialist National Public Health Institute (currently National Institute of Health and Welfare), (Finland) Antimicrobial surveillance of human pathogens incl. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, research of antimicrobial resistance epidemiology and resistance mechanisms, teaching, participation of FiRe (Finnish Study Group for Antimicrobial Resistance) group activities September 2001 August 2002 Associate veterinarian (infectious diseases) Surveillance of hospital acquired infections, outbreak investigation, teaching, research (epidemiology of hospital acquired infections), surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, guidance of antimicrobial use in veterinary hospital, hospital hygiene programme October 1998 August 2001 Veterinarian Clinical work (mainly internal medicine and radiology), teaching, research, hospital hygiene and surveillance of hospital acquired infections, responsible veterinarian for animal blood bank EDUCATION AND TRAINING January 2002 April 2009 PhD, Veterinary Medicine Research of antimicrobial resistance epidemiology and resistance mechanisms Thesis: Antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Finland with Special Reference to Macrolides and Telithromycin 24/2/15 European Union, 2002-2015 http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu Page 1 / 6

November 2006 October 2008 EPIET European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training National Centre for Epidemiology, Budapest, (Hungary) Descriptive and analytical epidemiology, outbreak investigation, data analysis skills of epidemiological data, public health programmes and surveillance of infectious diseases etc, September 2001 May 2006 Specialist degree in animal infectious diseases Infectious diseases of various animal species, epidemiology, antimicrobial usage, antimicrobial resistance, outbreak investigation skills, surveillance, diagnostics September 1992 September 1998 Licenciate of Veterinary Medicine, DVM Veterinary medicine ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Expertise Antimicrobials, antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial use, bacteriological diagnostics, hospital acquired infections, (veterinary) infectious disaese epidemiology Publications Peer-reviewed international scientific publications 1. Grönthal T, Moodley A, Nykäsenoja S, Junnila J, Guardabassi L, Thomson K, Rantala M. Large outbreak caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius ST71 in a Finnish veterinary teaching hospital - from outbreak control to outbreak prevention. PLoS One. 2014 Oct 15;9(10):e110084. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110084. ecollection 2014. 2. van Duijkeren E, Greko C, Pringle M, Baptiste KE, Catry B, Jukes H, Moreno MA, Pomba MC, Pyörälä S, Rantala M, Ružauskas M, Sanders P, Teale C, Threlfall EJ, Torren-Edo J, Törneke K. Pleuromutilins: use in food-producing animals in the European Union, development of resistance and impact on human and animal health. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2014, 69:2022-31 3. Pyörälä S, Baptiste KE, Catry B, van Duijkeren E, Greko C, Moreno MA, Pomba MC, Rantala M, Ružauskas M, Sanders P, Threlfall EJ, Torren-Edo J, Törneke K. Macrolides and lincosamides in cattle and pigs: Use and development of antimicrobial resistance. Vet J. 2014, 200:230-239.Review. 4. Viitanen SJ, Laurila HP, Lilja-Maula LI, Melamies MA, Rantala M, Rajamäki MM. Serum C-reactive protein as a diagnostic biomarker in dogs with bacterial respiratory diseases. Serum C-reactive protein as a diagnostic biomarker in dogs with bacterial respiratory diseases. J Vet Intern Med. 2014 Jan- Feb;28(1):84-91. doi: 10.1111/jvim.12262. Epub 2013 Dec 18. 5. Gindonis V, Taponen S, Myllyniemi A-L, Pyörälä S, Nykäsenoja S, Salmenlinna S, Lindholm L, Rantala M. Occurrence and characterization of methicillin resistant staphylococci from bovine mastitis milk samples in Finland. Acta Vet Scand. 2013 Aug 28;55(1):61. 6. Salmenlinna S, Lyytikäinen O, Vainio A, Myllyniemi A-L, Raulo S, Kanerva M, Rantala M, Thomson K, Seppänen J, and Vuopio J. Human cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398, Finland. Emerg Infect Dis. 2010 Oct;16(10):1626-9. 7. Siira L, Rantala M, Jalava J, Hakanen A, Huovinen P, Kaijalainen T, Lyytikäinen O, Virolainen A. Temporal trends of antimicrobial resistance and clonality of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae in Finland, 2002-2006. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2009 May;53(5):2066-73. 8. Thomson KH, Rantala MH, Viita-Aho TK, Vainio OM, Kaartinen LA. Condition-based use of antimicrobials in cats in Finland: results from two surveys. J Feline Med Surg. 2009, 11, 462-466 9. Vainio A, Lyytikäinen O, Sihvonen R, Kaijalainen T, Teirilä L, Rantala M, Lehtinen P, Ruuska P and Virolainen A. An outbreak of pneumonia associated with S. pneumoniae at a military training facility in Finland in 2006. APMIS 2009;117:488-91. 10. Thomson K, Rantala M, Hautala M, Pyörälä S, Kaartinen L. Cross-sectional prospective survey to study indication-based usage of antimicrobials in animals: results of use in cattle. BMC Vet Res. 2008 Apr 14;4:15. 24/2/15 European Union, 2002-2015 http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu Page 2 / 6

11. Rantala M, van de Laar MJ. Surveillance and epidemiology of hepatitis B and C in Europe - a review. Euro Surveill. 2008 May 22;13(21). pii: 18880. 12. Rantala M, Nyberg S, Lindgren M, Huovinen P, Jalava J, Skyttä R, Teirilä L,Vainio A, Virolainen- Julkunen A, Kaijalainen T. Molecular epidemiology of telithromycin-resistant pneumococci in Finland. Antimicrob Agents Chemother.2007 May;51(5):1885-7. 13. Lyytikäinen O, Klemets P, Ruutu P, Kaijalainen T, Rantala M, Ollgren J, Nuorti JP.Defining the population-based burden of nosocomial pneumococcal bacteremia. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Aug 13-27;167(15):1635-40. 14. Rantala M, Haanperä-Heikkinen M, Lindgren M, Seppälä H, Huovinen P, Jalava J. Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates resistant to telithromycin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 May;50(5):1855-8. 15. Rantala M, Huikko S, Huovinen P, Jalava J. Prevalence and molecular genetics of macrolide resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates collected in Finland in 2002. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2005 Oct;49(10):4180-4. 16. Hölsö K, Rantala M, Lillas A, Eerikäinen S, Huovinen P, Kaartinen L. Prescribing antimicrobial agents for dogs and cats via university pharmacies in Finland--patterns and quality of information. Acta Vet Scand. 2005;46(1-2):87-93. 17. Rantala M, Lahti E, Kuhalampi J, Pesonen S, Järvinen AK, Saijonmaa-Koulumies, Honkanen- Buzalski T. Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. in dogs given antibiotics for chronic dermatological disorders, compared with non-treated control dogs. Acta Vet Scand. 2004;45(1-2):37-45. 18. Rantala M, Hölsö K, Lillas A, Huovinen P, Kaartinen L. Survey of condition-based prescribing of antimicrobial drugs for dogs at a veterinary teaching hospital. Vet Rec. 2004 Aug 28;155(9):259-62. 19. Rantala M, Kaartinen L, Välimäki E, Stryrman M, Hiekkaranta M, Niemi A, Saari L, Pyörälä S. Efficacy and pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and flunixin meglumine for treatment of cows with experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2002 Aug;25(4):251-8. Peer-reviewed national scientific publications (in Finnish, but titles and journal names translated in English) 1. Salmenlinna S, Vainio A, Kanerva M, Vuopio-Varkila J, Myllyniemi A-L, Raulo S, Rantala M, Thomson K, Seppänen J, Kinnunen P, Jokelainen P, Vapalahti O ja Lyytikäinen O. Metisilliiniresistentti Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) CC398 eläimillä ja ihmisillä (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398 in animals and humans). Suomen Sairaalahygienialehti (Finnish Journal of Hospital Hygiene), 2010,28, 9-13 2. Rantala M, Hakanen A, Jalava J, Huovinen P, Paakkari P, Lyytikäinen O, Klemets P, Ruutu P. Pneumokokkien makrolidiresistenssi lisääntyy nopeasti (Macrolide resistance in pneumococci is increasing rapidly). Suomen Lääkärilehti (Finnish Medical Journal), 2004, 21-22: 2265 2267. 3. Koivula I, Korppi M, Kärkkäinen U, Perola O, Lahti E, Ruuskanen O, Rantala M, Hakanen A, Jalava J, Huovinen P. Vakavat pneumokokki-infektiot ja epäonnistunut makrolidihoito (Severe pneumococcal infections and treatment failures with macrolides). Suomen Lääkärilehti (Finnish Medical Journal), 2004, 21-22:2262 2264. 4. Kallio V, Mäkelä O, Rantala M. Salmonelloosi hevosten sairaalainfektiona kirjallisuuskatsaus (Salmoellosis as hospital acquired infection in horses a review of literature). Suomen Eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary Journal), 2004, 110, 11-18. 5. Terhonen H-L, Rantala M, Laitinen O. Koirien ja kissojen leikkaushaavainfektiot ennaltaehkäisy ja hoito (Prevention and treatment of post-surgical infections in dogs and cats). Suomen Eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary Journal), 2003, 109, 584-591. 6. Rantala M. Mikrobilääkkeiden tarkoituksenmukainen käyttö säilyykö lääkkeiden teho? (Appropriate use of antimicrobials can the efficacy be maintained?) Suomen Eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary Journal), 2002, 108, 404-. 7. Rantala M. Fluorokinolonien käyttö koirilla (The use of fluoroquinolones in dogs). Suomen Eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary Journal), 2000, 106, 687-692. 8. Lankila J, Rantala M, Ali-Vehmas T. Tartuntatautien vastustus löytökissataloilla (The prevention of infectious diseases in catteries). Suomen Eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary Journal), 2002, 108, 558- Abstracts or oral presentations (peer reviewed) in congresses 1. Eklund M, Thomson K, Jalava J, Niinistö K, Gronthal T, Piiparinen H, Rantala M. Epidemiological comparison of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) -producing Enterobacteriaceae from equine patients at the Finnish Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2011-2014. Accepted for a eposter 24/2/15 European Union, 2002-2015 http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu Page 3 / 6

viewing at the 25th ECCMID to be held in Copenhagen from 25-28 April 2015. Abstract number ECCMD-2346. 2. Lindholm L, Nykäsenoja S, Rantala M, Vuopio J, Jalava J. Whole genome sequencing and CGE servers in public health microbiology, analyses of mecc gene positive, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Finland 2003 2014. Accepted for a eposter oral presentation at the 25th ECCMID to be held in Copenhagen from 25-28 April 2015. Abstract number ECCMD-3148 3. Grönthal T, Piiparinen H, Nykäsenoja S, Rantala M; The suitability of a commercial contrast broth media for detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in dogs. Poster 57B, 3rd ASM-ESCMID Conference on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci in Animals: Veterinary and Public Health Implications, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4-7 November, 2013. Abstract Book p. 78. 4. Nykäsenoja S, Lindholm L, Salmenlinna S., Rantala M., Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in animals in Finland, Poster 43A, 3rd ASM-ESCMID Conference on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci in Animals: Veterinary and Public Health Implications, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4-7 November, 2013. Abstract Book p. 68. 5. Jalava J, Vuorela N, Miettinen S, Pelkonen S., Rantala M. Prevalence of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and their resistance mechanisms in dogs in Finland. Poster 1107, 22nd ECCMID, London, 31 March-3 April, 2012. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2012, 18, Supplement s3, 266. 6. S. Kilpinen, M. Rantala, T. Spillmann, J. Björkroth, E. Westermarck. Tylosin Increases the Levels of Enterococcus spp. in the Feces of Dogs with Tylosin-Responsive Diarrhea. Abstract GA-O-13. 21st ECVIM-CA congress, September 8-10, 2011, Seville, Spain. 7. Vuorela N, Miettinen S, Rantala M, Jalava J. Laajakirjoisia β-laktamaaseja (ESBL) tuottavien Enterobacteriaceae-heimon bakteerien esiintyminen suomalaisilla koirilla ja β-laktamaasigeenien tyypittäminen PCR-menetelmällä. Posteri 51, Suomen eläinlääkäripäivät luentokokoelma 2011. 8. Viitanen S, Rantala M, Rajamäki M.M. Clinical and microbiological findings in dogs with bacterial tracheobronchitis. Posteri 47, Suomen eläinlääkäripäivät, luentokokoelma 2011. 9. Rantala M, Czumbel I, Ferenci E: The epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis in Hungary, 1982-2007. Postersession 03, vectorborne diseases, Thursday, 20 November. Second European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ESCAIDE), Berlin, November 19-21, 2008. 10. Rantala M, Thomson K, Myllyniemi A-L, Pitkälä A, Seppänen J, Kanerva M, Vuopio-Varkila J, Vainio A, Lyytikäinen O. Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in horses and horse personnel at the Finnish veterinary teaching hospital, 2006 2007. 18th Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Barcelona, Spain, April 19-22, 2008, P-1453 (available at: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/eccmid18/pdfs/poster_presentation.pdf) 11. Nyberg S, Thomson K, Myllyniemi A-L, Pelkonen K, Jalava J, Rantala M. Characteristics of clinical extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing isolates from companion animals in Finland. 18th Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Barcelona, Spain, April 19-22, 2008, P- 633 (available at: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/eccmid18/pdfs/poster_presentation.pdf) 12. Rantala M, Siira L, Jalava J, Hakanen A, Huovinen P, Kaijalainen T, Lyytikäinen O, Virolainen A. Penicillin and macrolide resistance in invasive pneumococcal isolates in Finland, in 2005 2006. Oral presentation. First European Scientific Conference on Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology (ESCAIDE), Stockholm, October 18-20, 2007. 13. Rantala M, Hakanen A, Huovinen P, Jalava J. Emergence of antimicrobial resistance among invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Finland, 2002-2006. 24th Annual Meeting of the Scandinavian Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Tampere, Finland, 6-9 September 2007. SSAC2007 Programme and Abstracts book. 14. Siira L, Rantala M, Hakanen A, Jalava J, Kaijalainen T, Lyytikainen O, Virolainen A. Penicillinresistance of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae increased among the elderly in Finland in 2005-2006. 24th Annual Meeting of The Scandinavian Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Tampere, Finland, 6-9 September 2007. SSAC2007 Programme and Abstracts book. 15. Rantala M, Huovinen P, Jalava J. Telithromycin resistance in pneumococci. Abstract. 16th Euroepan Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Nice, France, April 1-4, 2004. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2006, 12, Supplement 4, P-1277 16. Rantala M, Jalava J, Huovinen P. Prevalence of multiresistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae strains in Finland. 15th Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen, Denmark, April 2-5, 2005. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 2005, 11, Supplement 2, P-1049 17. Rantala M, Huovinen P, Jalava J and the FiRe Group. Antimicrobial resistance in invasive vs. noninvasive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains in Finland 2002. Abstract. 4th International Symposium 24/2/15 European Union, 2002-2015 http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu Page 4 / 6

on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases, Helsinki, Finland, May 9-13, 2004. Res-40, p. 134. 18. Rantala M, Huovinen P, Jalava J and the Finnish Study Group for Antimicrobial Resistance: Macrolide resistance and its genetic mechanisms in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Finland 2002, with special reference to telithromycin resistance. 14th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Prague, Czech Republic, 1-4 May 2004. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 10 Supplement 3; P-1475, p.415. 19. Jalava J, Pihlajamäki M, Rantala M, Huovinen P: Telihromycin resistance among streptococci in Finland. Abstract. 13th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Glasgow, UK 10-13 May 2003. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 9 Supplement 1; 2003, P-1450, p.352. 20. Hölsö K, Rantala M, Lillas A, Eerikäinen S, Huovinen P, Kaartinen L. Antibiootteja meille antibiootteja myös kaikkien lemmikeille Taustatutkimus eläinten mikrobilääkemääräyksistä. Abstrakti. XXIII Tampereen lääkäripäivät, Tampere, 21-23.3.2002. Luennot XXIII, 16. 21. Lillas A, Rantala M, Hölsö K, Eerikäinen S, Huovinen P, Kaartinen L. Ihmislääkkeiden käyttö eläinlääkinnässä. Abstrakti. Lääkäripäivät, Helsinki, 6-10.1.2002. Luentolyhennelmät, Posterit, B 23. 22. Rantala M, Lyytikäinen O, Kallio V, Mäkelä O, Nuotio L, Siitonen A. An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT1 infections in a veterinary teaching hospital: transmission from horse to man. Abstract. Fifth International Conference of the Hospital Infection Society, Edinburgh, Sept 15-18, 2002. Book of Abstracts, P17.19, p. 99. 23. Siponmaa L, Rantala M, Kivelä S-L, Skrzypczak T, Pelkola K, Tulamo R-M. Postoperative wound infection surveillance in the veterinary teaching hospital preliminary results. Abstract. International Conference on Antimicrobial Agents in Veterinary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland, Aug 4-8, 2002. Program and Abstracts, 125. 24. Rantala M, Ranta M, Levo S, Sankari S. Uricult and Sensicult dip slides for detecting urinary tract infection in dogs. Abstract. International Conference on Antimicrobial Agents in Veterinary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland, Aug 4-8, 2002. Program and Abstracts, 120. Other publications (in Finnish, but titles and journals names also translated in English) 1. Grönthal T; Helin-Soilevaara Henriette, Rantala M: Milloin mikrobilääkettä? (When antimicrobials are needed?) Suomen eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary journal) 2013, 119: 4, 248-249. 2. FiRe. Mikrobilääkeresistenssi Suomessa Finres 1997-2010 (Antimicrobial resistance in Finland, Finres 1997-2010). Kliinisesti merkittävien bakteerien mikrobilääkeresistenssi (antimicrobial resistance of clinically significant pathogens): Jalava J and Rantala M / Streptococcus pneumoniae. Raportti/Report 67/2012. Terveyden- ja hyvinvoinnin laitos (National Institute of Health and Welfare). 61 sivua/pages. Helsinki 2012. 3. Gronthal T, Rantala M. 2012, Moniresistentit bakteerit: ESBL ja AmpC (Multi-drug resistant bacteria: ESBL and AmpC), Suomen eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary Journal), 118:7, 420-424 4. Rantala M., MRSP esittäytyy (Introducing MRSP) Suomen Eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary Journal) 2011, 117:9, 592-595 5. Rantala M, Siira L, Virolainen-Julkunen A, Lyytikäinen O, Kaijalainen T, Jalava J, Hakanen A, Huovinen P. Invasiivisten pneumokokkien mikrobilääkeherkkyys heikkenee Suomessa (Decreasing antimicrobial susceptibility in invasive pneumococci in Finland). Kansanterveys lehti (Finnish Public Health Journal), 2007, 8, 16. 6. Rantala M. Eläimet terveydenhuollon laitoksissa (Animals in Health Care Premises). Suomen Sairaalahygienialehti (Finnish Journal of Hospital Hygiene), 2003, 21, 13-14. 7. Rantala M. Kuulumisia eläinsairaalasta: Salmonella Typhimurium epidemia Yliopistollisen eläinsairaalan hevosklinikalla (Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurim in Equine Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Helsinki University). Suomen Sairaalahygienialehti (Finnish Journal of Hospital Hygiene), 2003, 21, 24-26. 8. Rantala M. Mikrobilääkkeiden tutkimus tiedekunnassa kohti vetmikstraa? (Research Concerning Antimicrobials in Veterinary Faculty Towards vet-mikstra?) Suomen Eläinlääkärilehti (Finnish Veterinary Journal), 2002, 108, 107-. 9. Rantala M. Kokemuksia sairaalahygieniatoiminnasta eläinsairaalassa (Experiences in Hospital Hygiene Activity in Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Helsinki University). Suomen Sairaalahygienialehti (Finnish Journal of Hospital Hygiene), 2000, 18, 247-249. 10. Rantala M. Mikrobilääkkeiden käyttö koirilla (The Use of Antimicrobials in Dogs). Apteekkari (The Pharmacist), 2001, 5, 30-34. Projects Antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine, multidrug resistant organisms (MRSA, MRSP, ESBL), 24/2/15 European Union, 2002-2015 http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu Page 5 / 6

resistance epidemiology, antimicrobial use Memberships Memberships in Expert Committees: Finres Vet Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring Group, Food Safety Authority Evira, Finland Antimicrobial Working Group, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland Antimicrobial Working Party (AWP; previously SAGAM), international advisory committee for Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP), European Medicines Agency (EMA). Other memberships: ESCMID, ASM, Finnish Veterinary Association Other Relevant Information 24/2/15 European Union, 2002-2015 http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu Page 6 / 6