One Health

BackgroundMonkeypox is a zoonotic virus which persists in animal reservoirs and periodically spills over into humans, causing outbreaks. During the current 2022 outbreak, monkeypox virus has persisted via human-human transmission, across all major continents and for longer than any previous record. This unprecedented spread creates the potential for the virus to spillback into local susceptible animal populations. Persistent transmission amongst such animals raises the prospect of monkeypox virus becoming enzootic in new regions. However, the full and specific range of potential animal hosts and reservoirs of monkeypox remains unknown, especially in newly at-risk non-endemic areas. MethodsHere, utilising ensembles of classifiers comprising different class balancing techniques and incorporating instance weights, we identify which animal species are potentially susceptible to monkeypox virus. Subsequently, we generate spatial distribution maps to highlight high-risk geographic areas at high resolution. FindingsWe show that the number of potentially susceptible species is currently underestimated by 2.4 to 4.3-fold, and that a high density of wild susceptible species are native to Europe. We provide lists of these species, and highlight high-risk hosts for spillback and potential long-term reservoirs, which may enable monkeypox virus to become endemic. InterpretationWe highlight the European red fox and brown rat, as they have established interactions with potentially contaminated urban waste and sewage, which provides a mechanism for potential spillback. We anticipate that our results will enable targeted active surveillance of potential spillback event, to minimise risk of the virus becoming endemic in these regions. Our results also indicate the potential of domesticated cats and dogs (latter now confirmed) being susceptible to monkeypox virus, and hence support many health organisations advice for infected humans to avoid physical interaction with pets.

Major advances in the understanding of infectious diseases have been achieved in the last decades. However, the persistence and re-emergence of pathogens continue to raise public and veterinary health concerns, of which the recent COVID-19 pandemic may be one of the most dramatic examples. Understanding the impact of habitat alterations and concomitant biodiversity loss on pathogen transmission and emergence from wildlife remains challenging. Here, we aim to elucidate the interlinkages between biodiversity and rodent-borne diseases at local and European scales. We present recently collected host-pathogen data from 21 temperate forest sites and eight urban green spaces throughout five European countries, environments where rodents are abundant and human/domestic animals - wildlife interactions are likely to occur. 3766 specimens were analyzed during the period from 2020 to 2022 comprising 15 different small mammal species. Different organ tissues of each specimen were screened for bacteria by either 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing or specific PCR. The presence of antibodies to different families of viruses was screened using immunofluorescent assays. A multitude of pathogens of zoonotic potential from several genera including Bartonella, Borrelia, Mycoplasma, Anaplasma, Neoehrlichia, Leptospira, Orthohantavirus and Orthopoxvirus were detected at non-negligible prevalence in 11 different terrestrial mammal species. A shift in host community composition was observed along the anthropization gradient with more urban adapters in more anthropized sites. Pathogen richness increased with an increase in host species diversity, following the "host-diversity begets parasite-diversity" hypothesis. The absence of some vector-transmitted parasites in urban areas suggests a shift in pathogen community along the anthropization gradient. Host species and host intrinsic factors were dominant explanatory variables for endoparasitic Mycoplasma species and Sarcocystidae, while extrinsic environmental and climatic factors where influential in explaining variations in occurrences of several vector-transmitted pathogens. Apodemus sylvaticus and Clethrionomys glareolus were important connector host species in respectively urban green spaces and temperate forests. Increased host diversity, but not anthropization, correlated with a richer pathogen community. These results ultimately lead to an increased understanding of the complex host-pathogen system at the local landscape that can aid future management decisions and support the public health sector.

The emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A/H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has led to an unprecedented intercontinental spread, affecting a broad spectrum of avian and mammalian species. Recent outbreaks in US dairy farms, underscore the urgent need to understand the transmission pathways. The study aimed to evaluate the modes of introduction and transmission to dairy farms, through geospatial and exposure analyses. Our findings favour a singular introduction over multiple independent introductions, with non-waterfowl species exhibiting the highest dairy farm exposure, which is a major shift from historical waterfowl spread. Moreover, bidirectional spread between cattle and poultry highlights the intricate nature of disease transmission within the agricultural ecosystem. Additional factors such as livestock trade, poultry litter feed and contaminated milking machinery likely contributed to the amplification of the outbreaks throughout the United States. As large-scale outbreaks persist in the United States, the likelihood of a human pandemic increases, making it imperative to enact and sustain heightened surveillance measures across all potentially impacted species.

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) pose a significant global health challenge, with zoonotic pathogens-- transmitted from animals to humans--accounting for about 75% of these threats. Traditionally, responses to EIDs have been reactive, focusing on post-outbreak containment, which often results in considerable health and economic losses. Recognizing the need for a proactive One Health approach, our study in the buffer zone (Thakurdwara) of Bardia National Park, Nepal aimed to establish a zoonotic disease surveillance program. We conducted disease risk assessments and collected biological samples from 100 households located in the wildlife-human interface of the park. This included one human sample (n=100) and at least two livestock samples per household (n=289). Fecal samples from the surrounding forest were non-invasively collected and identified using DNA barcoding. All samples were screened for ten target pathogens, including six viruses and four bacteria, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. By integrating laboratory findings with risk survey data using a One Health approach, we analyzed potential zoonotic pathogen spillover and transmission dynamics to better understand the interconnected factors influencing zoonotic disease risks. Campylobacter emerged as the most common pathogen, detected in 97 human households and 219 livestock samples. Mycobacteria were identified in two livestock and two wildlife samples, while Salmonella was confined to a single human household. Influenza A virus was observed in one livestock sample, and wildlife samples showed low pathogen prevalence overall. Campylobacter hotspots were identified through strain variation and network analysis, linking humans, livestock, and poultry, based on proximity, shared water sources, and contamination. Poultry likely served as a reservoir for human cases indicating zoonotic transmission pathways. Our findings highlight the critical need for integrated One Health measures and proactive, integrated surveillance systems that emphasize early detection, community education, and targeted interventions to mitigate emerging zoonotic threats.

SynopsisO_ST_ABSObjectivesC_ST_ABSOur aims were to compare faecal third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Escherichia coli isolates from dogs living in a city and in a rural area ~30 km away; to compare isolates from dogs, cattle, and humans in these regions; to determine risk factors associated with 3GC-R E. coli carriage in these two cohorts of dogs. Methods600 dogs were included, with faecal samples processed to recover 3GC-R E. coli using 2 mg/L cefotaxime. WGS was by Illumina; risk factor analyses were multivariable linear regression using the results of an owner-completed survey. Results3GC-R E. coli were excreted by 20/303 rural and 31/297 urban dogs. Dog/human sharing was evident for the dominant canine 3GC-R sequence type, ST963(blaCMY-2). Cattle/dog sharing was evident for CTX-M-14 and CTX-M-32-producing E. coli from rural dogs, including sharing of plasmid pMOO-32, which is common on cattle farms in the area. Feeding raw meat was associated with carrying 3GC-R E. coli in rural dogs, but not in urban dogs, where swimming in rivers was a weak risk factor. ConclusionsGiven clear zoonotic potential for resistant canine E. coli, our work suggests interventions that may reduce this threat. In rural dogs, carriage of 3GC-R E. coli, particularly CTX-M producers, was phylogenetically associated with interaction with local cattle and epidemiologically associated with feeding raw meat. In urban dogs, sources of 3GC-R E. coli appear to be more varied and include environments such as rivers.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a significant challenge to global public health. Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive One Health approach that integrates efforts in human, veterinary, and environmental domains. Whereas AMR research in medical and veterinary domains is extensive, AMR research in wildlife has received less attention. However, AMR prevalence in the environment, and specifically in wildlife, ultimately affects human life. In a large study conducted in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, we collected 410 rectal swab samples from 37 different wildlife species to quantify the prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and its resistance to 16 antimicrobial drugs, determined through phenotypical antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The study yielded an 81.5% E. coli isolation rate with a considerable 10.8% of isolates resistant to one or more antimicrobial drugs. Notably, 4.5% of the isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR). Furthermore, we found that E. coli in omnivores exhibited the highest levels of AMR, significantly higher than in carnivores and herbivores. In addition to these dietary associations, we found that the percentage of forested areas surrounding the sampling locations was inversely related to AMR rates, suggesting that environmental conditions play a role in mitigating AMR. This study provides a large-scale quantification of AMR in a broad range of wildlife species and also identifies diverse patterns of AMR in E. coli, highlighting variations associated with both host species and environmental conditions. Our findings emphasize the role of wildlife as potential indicators of environmental contamination with antibiotics and as reservoirs of resistant bacteria.

BackgroundMiddle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), is a zoonotic disease caused by MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The purpose of this scoping review was to take stock of the empirical research evidence for MERSDCoV, map the information to priority research areas as set out in existing MERS-CoV research roadmaps, identify technical areas that received less attention and set recommendations for the advancement of MERS-CoV research. MethodsWe undertook a scoping review for MERS-CoV, comprehensively searching the three databases PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL for studies published between 1 January 2012 and 24 January 2023. Two reviewers screened studies and extracted data using a pilot-tested screening form. We categorized studies into priority research areas outlined in existing roadmaps and summarized the evidence available for each category. ResultsA total of 1,264 records were included in the review, assigned into pre-defined categories. 33% of the included records were molecular genetics studies, followed by therapeutic studies (17.6%) and pathogenesis studies (15.6%). We found that, while there has been a substantial research effort on MERS-CoV, many technical themes pertaining to the areas of animal, human, animal-human interface, and environmental research identified by FAO, WHO, and WOAH in the past have not sufficiently been addressed to date. This includes asymptomatic human cases role in transmission, human exposure risk from dromedary products, reinfection, analyses of camel value chain and production systems, and anthropological studies characterizing interactions at the animal-human interface, in addition to studies highlighting the role of environmental factors in MERS-CoV transmission. ConclusionOur study highlights the continued need for coordinated action to better prepare for, prevent, detect, and respond to MERS-CoV. Examples include the need for enhancing collaborative surveillance, accelerating the development of MERS-CoV medical countermeasures, strengthening community protection, reducing MERS-CoV transmission at healthcare facility level and reinforcing multi-sectoral coordination using the One Health approach.

Introduction Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica (NTS) is a major zoonotic enteric pathogen. Animal contact-related NTS outbreaks have increased in the United States of America (U.S.) over the last decade. Geospatial analysis can identify locations with elevated risk of NTS outbreaks where public health authorities can focus their NTS prevention and intervention efforts. Methods We analyzed NTS outbreak data reported from individual states to the Centers for Disease Control via the National Outbreak Reporting System between 2009 and 2022 across the continental contiguous U.S. A geospatial analytical framework that included disease mapping, spatial interpolation, and global and local clustering methods was applied to identify regions with high NTS outbreak rates. Results A total of 104 NTS single-state outbreaks were reported to the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) during the study period. The mean annual incidence rate was 0.02 NTS outbreaks per million person-years. The primary animal contact categories associated with these outbreaks were mammals (cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses), birds (backyard chickens, ducklings, and turkeys), and reptiles (turtles and lizards). Exposure settings included farms, fairgrounds, agricultural feed stores, veterinary clinics, dairy/agricultural settings, and residential settings. The local cluster detection methods consistently identified areas with significantly high NTS animal contact-related outbreak rates in the Mountain West, Midwest, and Northeast of the US. Conclusion NTS animal contact-related single-state outbreaks revealed distinct spatial clustering across the United States, with potentially higher risks in the Mountain West, Midwest, and Northeast. Diversity of animal-contact sources and exposure settings depicted complex transmission dynamics of NTS. Focused prevention and control programs in these areas are needed to mitigate the burden of NTS outbreaks.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in humans in late 2019 and spread rapidly to become a global pandemic. A zoonotic spillover event from animal to human was identified as the presumed origin. Subsequently, reports began emerging regarding spillback events resulting in SARS-CoV-2 infections in multiple animal species. These events highlighted critical links between animal and human health while also raising concerns about the development of new reservoir hosts and potential viral mutations that could alter virulence and transmission or evade immune responses. Characterizing susceptibility, prevalence, and transmission between animal species became a priority to help protect animal and human health. In this study, we coalesced a large team of investigators and community partners to surveil for SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and free-ranging animals around Ohio between May 2020 and August 2021. We focused on species with known or predicted susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, highly congregated or medically compromised animals (e.g. shelters, barns, veterinary hospitals), and animals that had frequent contact with humans (e.g. pets, agricultural animals, zoo animals, or animals in wildlife hospitals). This included free-ranging deer (n=76), mink (n=57), multiple species of bats (n=65), and other wildlife in addition to domestic cats (n=275) and pigs (n= 184). In total, we tested 800 animals (34 species) via rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was not detected in any of the tested animals despite a major peak in human SARS-CoV-2 cases that occurred in Ohio subsequent to the peak of animal samplings. Importantly, due to lack of validated tests for animals, we did not test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this study, which limited our ability to assess exposure. While the results of this study were negative, the surveillance effort was critical and remains key to understanding, predicting, and preventing re-emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in humans or animals.

Households where people have COVID-19 are high risk environments for companion animals that are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. We sampled 579 pets from 281 households with one or more laboratory-confirmed person with COVID-19 in central Texas from June 2020 to May 2021. Nineteen out of 396 (4.8%) dogs and 21 out of 157 (13.4%) cats were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR. Additionally, 95/382 (25%) dogs and 52/146 (36%) cats harbored SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Twenty-six companion animals of ten other species were negative. Overall, 164 (29%) pets were positive for SARS-CoV-2 by molecular and/or serological tests; a total of 110 (39%) out of 281 households had at least one animal with active or past SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cats were more likely to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and had higher endpoint antibody titers than dogs. Through viral isolation from a subset of respiratory swabs, we documented 6 different lineages in dogs and cats, including the B.1.1 lineage in a cat one month prior to the first known human case in the country. We observed animal and human-pet interaction factors associated with higher risk of infection for dogs and cats, such as days after COVID-19 diagnosis and sharing food. Frequency of clinical signs of disease reported by owners of pets with active infections did not differ from uninfected ones, suggesting that not all reported signs are attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Characterizing animal infections using active SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in pets at risk of infection may aid in One Health pandemic prevention, response, and management.

BackgroundNontyphoidal Salmonella enterica (NTS) is a major public-health threat in the United States of America (U.S.). Evaluating associations between serovars, exposure sources, and settings in multistate outbreaks can reveal the drivers of NTS transmission and guide prioritization of targeted prevention and control strategies. MethodsWe analyzed multistate animal-contact NTS outbreaks reported to the CDC National Outbreak Reporting System during 2009-2022. We calculated incidence rates per 10 million population-years (MPY) and assessed temporal trends using Joinpoint regression. We constructed interstate co-occurrence networks linking serovars, exposure sources, settings, and states, and applied a random forest classifier to identify variables most useful for distinguishing outbreak profiles. ResultsWe identified 177 multistate outbreaks (0.06 per 10 MPY) involving 40 serovars. Incidence significantly declined from 2009 to 2013 and remained stable thereafter. Random forest rankings identified birds and reptiles as the most influential exposure sources and agricultural feed stores and residential homes as the most influential exposure settings in distinguishing outbreak profiles. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed two major communities. The first included outbreaks involving serovars Enteritidis and Infantis, bird exposure source, and agricultural feed stores or farms as exposure settings, with hubs across the Midwest, Northeast, and Southern regions. The second community involved outbreaks linked with reptiles and mammals as exposure sources, residential homes and farms as exposure settings, and serovars Hadar, Typhimurium, and Braenderup, which were concentrated in the Western and Southern regions. ConclusionsMultistate animal-contact NTS outbreaks clustered into distinct serovar-exposure, source, setting, and region patterns, suggesting different NTS outbreak transmission pathways. The persistence of NTS serovars across states, diverse animal-contact sources, and exposure settings underscores the ongoing zoonotic transmission risk at the human-animal and environmental interfaces. A region-specific One Health approach to prevent and control NTS outbreaks is suggested to reduce the health burden.

Control measures are being introduced globally to reduce the prevalence of antibiotic resistant (ABR) bacteria on farms. However, little is known about the current prevalence and molecular ecology of ABR in key opportunistic human pathogens such as Escherichia coli on South American farms. Working with 30 dairy cattle farms and 40 pig farms across two provinces in central-eastern Argentina, we report a comprehensive genomic analysis of third-generation cephalosporin resistance (3GC-R) in E. coli. 3GC-R isolates were recovered from 34.8% (cattle) and 47.8% (pigs) of samples from faecally contaminated sites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed substantial diversity suggestive of long-term horizontal transmission of 3GC-R mechanisms. Despite this, mechanisms such as CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-2 were detected more often in dairy farms, while CTX-M-8 and CMY-2, and co-carriage of amoxicillin/clavulanate resistance and florfenicol resistance were more commonly detected in pig farms. This suggests different selective pressures of antibiotic use in these two animal types, particularly the balance of fourth-versus third-generation cephalosporin use, and of amoxicillin/clavulanate and florfenicol use. We identified the {beta}-lactamase gene blaROB in 3GC-R E. coli, which has previously only been reported in the family Pasteurellaceae, including farmed animal pathogens. blaROB was found alongside a novel florfenicol resistance gene - ydhC - also mobilised from a pig pathogen as part of a new plasmid-mediated composite transposon, which is already widely disseminated. These data set a baseline from which to measure the effects of interventions aimed at reducing on-farm ABR and provide an opportunity to investigate zoonotic transmission of resistant bacteria in this region. ImportanceLittle is known about the ecology of critically important antibiotic resistance among opportunistic human pathogens (e.g. Escherichia coli) on South American farms. By studying 70 farms in central-eastern Argentina, we identified that third-generation cephalosporin resistance (3GC-R) in E. coli was mediated by mechanisms seen more often in certain species (pigs or dairy cattle) and that 3GC-R pig E. coli were more likely to be co-resistant to florfenicol and amoxicillin/clavulanate. This suggests that on-farm antibiotic usage is key to selecting the types of E. coli present on these farms. 3GC-R E. coli were highly phylogenetically variable and we identified the de novo mobilisation of the resistance gene blaROB, alongside a novel florfenicol resistance gene, from pig pathogens into E. coli on a mobile genetic element that was widespread in the study region. Overall, this shows the importance of surveying poorly studied regions for critically important antibiotic resistance which might impact human health.

Bat-borne viruses are a threat to global health and have in recent history had major impacts to human morbidity and mortality. Examples include diseases such as rabies, Ebola, SARS-Cov-1, and SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19). Climate change could exacerbate the emergence of bat-borne pathogens by affecting the distribution and abundance of bats in tropical ecosystems. Here we report an assessment of historical climate and vampire bat occurrence data for the last century, which revealed a relationship between climatic variation and risk of disease spillover triggered by changes in bat distributions. This report represents one of the first examples of empirical evidence of global change effects on continental patterns of bat-borne pathogen transmission risk. We therefore recommend that more research is necessary on the impacts of climate change on bat-borne pathogen spillover risk, and that climate change impacts on bat-borne disease should be considered in global security initiatives. HighlightsO_LIBat-borne viruses are a threat to global health and include diseases such as rabies, Ebola, SARS-Cov-1, and SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19). C_LIO_LIClimate change could exacerbate the emergence of bat-borne pathogens by affecting the distribution and abundance of bats. C_LIO_LIHere we report an assessment of historical climate and vampire-bat occurrence data for the last century, which reveals a relationship between climatic variation and risk of disease spillover triggered by changes in bat distributions. C_LI

Dromedary camels are the main reservoir for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a re-emerging infectious disease with pandemic potential. Somalia harbours approximately 32% of dromedary camels globally. We investigated current and past MERS-CoV infections among occupationally-exposed workers in slaughterhouses, dairy farms, livestock markets and a quarantine station. Sera and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs from 770 workers were analysed for MERS-CoV antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and virus neutralization and for viral RNA by Real Star(R) MERS-CoV Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). One farm worker with no travel history in the Qardo district, Karkar region, Puntland was sero-positive by ELISA and virus neutralization, providing the first-ever evidence of zoonotic spillover of MERS-CoV to humans in Somalia. This finding highlights the need to strengthen MERS-CoV surveillance across Somalia, along with an urgent need to strengthen national laboratory capacity and integrate MERS into diagnostic algorithms to generate accurate and reliable infection data and studies to understand the socio-cultural and potential risk factors for MERS-CoV.

SARS-CoV-2 originated in animals and is now easily transmitted between people. Sporadic detection of natural cases in animals alongside successful experimental infections of pets, such as cats, ferrets and dogs, raises questions about the susceptibility of animals under natural conditions of pet ownership. Here we report a large-scale study to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection in 817 companion animals living in northern Italy, sampled at a time of frequent human infection. No animals tested PCR positive. However, 3.4% of dogs and 3.9% of cats had measurable SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers, with dogs from COVID-19 positive households being significantly more likely to test positive than those from COVID-19 negative households. Understanding risk factors associated with this and their potential to infect other species requires urgent investigation. One Sentence SummarySARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pets from Italy.

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a severe global public health threat, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LICs and LMICs), where socio-economic and infrastructural factors impede effective ABR management. Here, we identify critical challenges, including disparity in the volume of research related to ABR stewardship for the dairy industry, that hinder the success of national action plans in LICs and LMICs. We conducted a literature review to pinpoint specific challenges to ABR stewardship in LICs and LMICs and employed generalised linear models to evaluate the predictive influence of dairy-related, socio-economic, and environmental factors on progress in antimicrobial resistance stewardship using TrACSS scores. We ascertained six key themes in otherwise interconnected challenges that critically limit ABR stewardship in LICs and LMICs: (i) lack of awareness among stakeholders, (ii) ineffective regulations, (iii) insufficient surveillance and monitoring, (iv) inadequate veterinary health infrastructure, (v) economic constraints, and (vi) certain cultural beliefs and traditional practices. Generalised linear regression models confirmed that effective surveillance, robust health and diagnostic infrastructure, and economic affluence significantly determine the progress of ABR stewardship in a country, as reported by TrACSS scores. However, the substantially sparse knowledge on the impact of dairy farms on environmental resistome generated in LICs and LMICs raises the concern that the interventions for the dairy industry in these countries are not informed by the actual local and national conditions.

Foodborne diseases (FBD) constitute a significant worldwide concern with both health and socioeconomic repercussions. FBD predominantly manifest with gastrointestinal symptoms. Nevertheless, extraintestinal infections and symptoms caused by foodborne pathogens are increasingly being reported worldwide. Furthermore, FBD caused by drug resistant bacteria causing both intestinal and extra-intestinal FBD (EIFBD) has further exacerbated their burden. This review (i) summarizes the status of intestinal foodborne pathogens, (ii) delineates the drivers, highlights the (iii) genomic evidence, and (iv) global significance of EIFBD. Understanding the transmission routes and genomic evolution of the principal bacteria causing extra-intestinal FBD is of paramount importance to fully assess the burden of FBD globally, especially in under-resourced regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Acknowledging EIFBD as an integral part of FBD is critical to reach sustainable development. Integrated strategies considering the One Health approach are requisite if FBD are to be controlled, plus to ensure food safety and security. Data summaryThe authors confirm that all supporting data, code and protocols have been provided within the article or through supplementary data files. Impact StatementFoodborne diseases (FBD) present a global health challenge, with the significant health impact and economic costs. Commonly, these illnesses manifest as gastrointestinal troubles; however, there is an alarming increase in reports of foodborne pathogens causing infections beyond the intestinal tract. The complexity of managing FBD is worsened as various pathogens exhibit resistance to antibiotics, a concern applicable to both intestinal and extraintestinal infections. This review serves several critical functions: (i) provide a current overview of the pathogens responsible for gastrointestinal FBD, (ii) examine the underlying factors contributing to the proliferation of these diseases, (iii) present insights gleaned from genomic studies, which enhance our understanding of these pathogens. Grasping the mechanisms of pathogen transmission and genetic evolution is essential to accurately evaluate the worldwide impact of FBD. Acknowledging extraintestinal infections as a significant component of FBD is vital for sustainable progress. Combating FBD effectively necessitates a comprehensive "One Health" approach, which integrates the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment. Such a strategy is imperative not only for controlling FBD but also for ensuring the safety and availability of food resources globally.

BackgroundLivestock production systems in peri-urban areas are associated with high levels of interaction between humans, animals, and the environment, which may contribute to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. However, genomic characterization of resistant bacteria in the interconnected systems of humans, animals, and the environment in low- and middle-income countries like Cameroon is very limited. MethodsThis study was undertaken to investigate the ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae in the peri-urban pig production systems in Yaounde, Cameroon, through the application of the One Health genomic approach. A total of 338 samples were collected from humans, pigs, and the environment. Enterobacterales were isolated using standard microbiological procedures, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolated bacteria using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method based on the EUCAST breakpoints. Ten multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales with similar resistance profiles were sequenced to identify their sequence types, resistance determinants, plasmid replicons, and virulence determinants. ResultsEnterobacterales were found in 187 samples, comprising 38 human, 98 pig, and 51 environmental samples. E. coli (166 isolates) was the most prevalent species, followed by K. pneumoniae (100 isolates). Whole-genome sequencing revealed eight E. coli and two K. quasipneumoniae isolates from human, pig, wastewater, and farm environmental samples. The E. coli isolates represented seven sequence types, including the globally successful ST410 lineage. Notably, E. coli ST3580 was found in human and environmental samples from the Afanoyoa farm in different sampling months, while K. quasipneumoniae ST1535 was found in human and pig samples from the Etoudi farm in different months. All genomes encoded ESBL genes, with blaCTX-M-15 being the most prevalent, accompanied by other resistance genes to various antibiotic classes and several plasmid incompatibility groups. ConclusionsThese results show the circulation of genetically diverse ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae in human, animal, and environmental reservoirs in peri-urban pig farming systems and the potential for cross-reservoir persistence of particular lineages. Improved One Health antimicrobial resistance surveillance and stewardship are critical to address antimicrobial resistance in rapidly urbanizing environments.

Small mammals and their ectoparasites present a unique system to investigate the eco-epidemiology of multi-host vector-borne pathogens and identify specific bacterial spillover determinants. We applied ecological and evolutionary analyses in a rainforest-human-use mosaic to investigate Bartonella spp. across small mammal and ectoparasite communities. We observed substantial overlap among small mammal communities in different habitat types, predominantly driven by habitat generalists. Most ectoparasites were generalists, infecting multiple hosts. We observed high Bartonella prevalence at both study sites -a forest-plantation mosaic (47.4%) and a protected area (28.8%). Seven of the ten ectoparasite species sampled were also positive for Bartonella, following prevalence trends in their hosts. A generalised linear model revealed an independent association between aggregated ectoparasite load in hosts and Bartonella prevalence, implicating ectoparasites in transmission. Bartonella lineages from small mammals were host-specific, while ectoparasites carried Bartonella associated with other small mammal hosts, indicating the potential for cross-species transmission. Phylogenetic ancestral trait reconstruction of Bartonella haplotypes suggest historic spillover events in the small mammal community, validating the potential for contemporary spillover events. These results highlight the necessity to disentangle the complex relationship between hosts, ectoparasites, and pathogens to understand the zoonotic implications of undetected spillover events in such multi-host communities.

SARS-CoV-2, the agent responsible for COVID-19 has been shown to infect a number of species. The role of domestic livestock and the risk associated for humans in close contact remains unknown for many production animals. Determination of the susceptibility of pigs to SARS-CoV-2 is critical towards a One Health approach to manage the potential risk of zoonotic transmission. Here, pigs undergoing experimental inoculation are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 at low levels. Viral RNA was detected in group oral fluids and nasal wash from at least two animals while live virus was isolated from a pig. Further, antibodies could be detected in two animals at 11 and 13 days post infection, while oral fluid samples at 6 days post inoculation indicated the presence of secreted antibodies. These data highlight the need for additional livestock assessment to better determine the potential role domestic animals may contribute towards the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.