Veterinary medicine and scienceMajed H Wakid, Dipesh Aryal, Sharifuzzaman, Saifa Saba Hossain, Abu Rakib M Beni Amin, Md Shafiqul Islam, Md Shahiduzzaman
INTRODUCTION: Cryptosporidium spp. are enteric protozoan parasites of public health importance, particularly in low-resource settings where humans, animals and environmental water sources frequently interact. This study investigated the prevalence, molecular diversity and environmental exposure-related variables in relation to Cryptosporidium infection in a rural community. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using 180 faecal samples collected from humans, cattle, chickens, fish, cats, dogs, and ducks. Speciation and subtyping were determined through PCR amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA and gp60 genes. Epidemiological and environmental data were collected, and univariable analyses were conducted. An exploratory multivariable logistic regression model was subsequently performed for the human subset. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 9.40%, with the highest rates observed in humans (14.8%) and cattle (13.5%). Molecular characterisation identified C. hominis, C. parvum, C. bovis and C. felis. Among humans, C. hominis was the predominant, whereas C. parvum was also detected, including mixed infections. gp60 analysis identified multiple subtype families, including Ia, Ib, IIa, IIc and IId. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close genetic relationships between Bangladeshi isolates and previously reported reference strains from South Asia and the Middle East. Higher odds of Cryptosporidium infection were observed among individuals reporting river bathing and consumption of untreated water, whereas lower odds were observed among those reporting regular handwashing. No statistically significant associations were identified between evaluated environmental variables and infection among non-human hosts. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the circulation of multiple Cryptosporidium species and subtype families within a shared human-animal ecosystem. The contaminated surface water and inadequate hygiene practices may represent important environmental exposure interfaces for Cryptosporidium infection in the study area. However, given the cross-sectional design and limited number of positive cases, the epidemiological findings should be interpreted as exploratory associations rather than definitive transmission pathways. Further longitudinal One Health investigations are needed.
PloS oneMargaret Wingerd, Anne Kimmerlein, Pablo D Jimenez Castro, Michelle D Evason, Jennifer L Willcox, Cecilia E Lozoya, Jeffrey Tereski, Kelly Mitchell, Philip J B…
Giardia duodenalis is a flagellated commensal protozoan that can infect both humans and animals. Infection can result in clinical signs such as diarrhea or, more often, the infection can be subclinical. Within the G. duodenalis species, there are several major genetic assemblages, A - H. Certain assemblages are species specific (C and D in dogs, F in cats) while assemblages A and B can infect humans as well as other mammals. This retrospective study used data collected from a commercial reference laboratory (Antech Diagnostics, Mars Petcare Science & Diagnostics). Real-time PCR data using fecal qPCR panel (KeyScreen™ GI Parasite PCR) for Giardia duodenalis and potential zoonotic assemblages A/B in 157,616 domestic cat stool samples from North America collected between March 8, 2022, to August 31, 2023, was used. Variables including age, sex, altered status, season, and geographic region were assessed to identify associations with cats that were detected for G. duodenalis and potential zoonotic assemblages A/B. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis was 6.3% (9,962/157,616) and of those detected, 18.5% (1,840/9,962) were assemblages A/B. Cats that were G. duodenalis detected were more likely to be male, intact, less than one-year old, and in the Midwest. In general, lowest detection occurred during the summer months. Zoonotic potential detection was highest in cats aged less than one-year (19.7%; 1,011/5,137). These data highlight the importance of routine fecal screening in domestic cats to detect parasites, particularly those, like Giardia, of One Health concern, and provides prevalence, and risk factor information that aids clinical veterinary decision-making.
BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a multi-systemic zoonotic infection. The West Asia/Middle East region is an important global hotspot for brucellosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to aggregate and synthesize all the available evidence regarding the complications of brucellosis in West Asia/Middle East region. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Proquest were searched. Selection of studies, data extraction, and the risk of bias assessment were performed in duplicate. Data extraction was performed for 254 complications. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Where applicable small-study effects was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test. Separate by-country, by-age, and by-publication-decade subgroup analyses were performed if feasible. RESULTS: Out of 9518 results, 240 studies (260 references) were included. The majority of the included studies were conducted in Turkey (n = 177). The reported complications varied and different complication categorization systems were detected. The highest pooled estimate was observed for musculoskeletal involvement (50%, 95%CI: 39%-61%, I2 = 96.63%). The evidences is up-to-date until March 4, 2024. CONCLUSIONS: Some complications such as the complications of the eye were not reported in all the countries. Therefore, it's recommended to determine the relative frequency of those complications in regions without such reports. The pooled estimates of different complications of brucellosis were different. There's a need for the standardization of the reporting of the complications of brucellosis to achieve comparability between studies and across different regions.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Indonesia harbors extraordinary non-human primate (NHP) diversity, yet deforestation, ecotourism, illegal wildlife trade, and urban encroachment are intensifying human-NHP contact, elevating pathogen spillover risk. This review synthesizes evidence on NHP-associated zoonoses within a One Health framework and proposes an integrated biosurveillance roadmap. METHODS: A structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000-2025), informed by the PRISMA-ScR framework and using pre-specified host, geographic, and pathogen search terms, was conducted and supplemented by grey literature from WHO, FAO, BPOM, and Indonesia's Ministry of Health. RESULTS: Five priority zoonotic pathogen categories were identified: Plasmodium knowlesi malaria, Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1 (Herpes B virus), simian foamy virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, and zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites. Surveillance capacity is fragmented and NHP-specific pathogen monitoring is absent from national systems. CONCLUSIONS: NHP-derived zoonoses represent a growing public health threat in Indonesia. A NHP-inclusive One Health surveillance system integrating molecular diagnostics, geographic information systems, and cross-sectoral regulatory coordination is urgently needed.
Veterinary research communicationsSadaqat Ali, Benish Ali, Aftab Shaukat, Saad Alghamdi, Ahmed Kabrah, Mawahib A Ahmed, Li Zhang
Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan infecting approximately one-third of the global human population, causes substantial morbidity in immunocompromised individuals, congenital complications, neuropsychiatric sequelae, and considerable economic losses in livestock production. Gut microbial communities critically modulate T. gondii infection susceptibility, disease progression, and clinical outcomes, positioning the microbiome as a central axis in toxoplasmosis pathogenesis. This review examines the bidirectional relationship between gut microbiota and T. gondii, wherein dysbiosis functions simultaneously as a consequence and driver of disease severity. Protective commensal taxa reinforce intestinal barrier integrity, produce short-chain fatty acids, and stimulate anti-parasitic immunity through IFN-γ, IL-12, and tryptophan-aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling, while pathobionts exacerbate immunopathology via TLR4 and inflammasome activation. Conversely, acute infection drives rapid microbial community collapse with persistent Proteobacteria expansion, butyrate-producing taxa depletion, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment in chronic infection. Across the One Health spectrum, host-specific microbiome signatures in felids, livestock, wildlife, and environmental reservoirs modulate zoonotic transmission dynamics and population-level susceptibility. Diagnostically, emerging microbiome-based approaches including metagenomics and multi-omics platforms offer promising biomarker discovery opportunities, though validated clinical signatures remain absent. Microbiome-targeted therapeutic strategies including probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and postbiotics show preclinical promise, although human clinical trial validation is critically lacking. Critical research gaps and interdisciplinary One Health priorities are identified to advance microbiome-informed surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of toxoplasmosis.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaGregory C Milne, Lauren A Attfield, Joachim Mariën, Lucinda Kirkpatrick, Herwig Leirs, Kate E Jones, Christl A Donnelly, David W Redding
Mechanistic frameworks linking climate to zoonotic disease risk through host ecology remain rare, limiting transferable insights across systems. We develop a Bayesian framework combining an integral projection model of rodent demography with a compartmental disease model. Applied to capture-mark-recapture data from the Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis; N = 20,249 captures, 1994-2023) and serological data on the Lassa virus-related Morogoro arenavirus (N = 7,850 tests, 2010-2017), the framework jointly estimates climatic, demographic, and transmission parameters. Rainfall was a dominant driver of rodent recruitment, with seasonal rainfall explaining 52.1% (95% CrI 2.1 to 79.0%) of modeled recruitment variation. In a field-first, we estimate that 79.1% (95% CrI 69.3 to 88.9%) of infected pregnancies result in vertical transmission, identifying this as the primary mechanism maintaining viral persistence between breeding seasons. We assess framework transferability to capture the seasonal dynamics of Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria (N = 6,469 laboratory-confirmed cases, 2018-2025), substituting model climate inputs without refitting any parameters. Predicted peaks in rodent subadult infections preceded observed outbreaks by 0.92 mo (95% CrI -2.76 to 0.92), with 83% of predicted and observed peaks falling within ±28 d [Pr(Δ ≤ 28d) = 0.83], substantially outperforming seasonal rainfall or rodent demography [Pr(Δ ≤ 28d) ≤ 0.11]. Infected adult peaks lagged observed outbreaks by 0.92 mo [Pr(Δ ≤ 28d) = 0.56], suggesting subadults might primarily be responsible for zoonotic hazard. Outbreak magnitude was not reproduced, likely reflecting human behavioral and surveillance factors beyond the model's scope. These results illustrate how mechanistic frameworks grounded in reservoir host ecology can yield transferable insights into zoonotic risk, with potential application across other climate-sensitive host-pathogen systems.
Bulletin of mathematical biologySuman Kumari, Partha Sarathi Mandal
Mathematical models of plague dynamics provide insight into zoonotic transmission processes and epidemic persistence but often neglect stochastic effects and seasonal variability. In this study, we examine how seasonal variability influences zoonotic disease transmission through a rat-flea-human plague model. Periodic environmental forcing modulates rat abundance, flea survival, and biting activity, generating time-dependent rates that capture realistic ecological seasonality. To represent demographic randomness, we formulate a continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) model and apply a multi-type branching process approximation near the disease-free equilibrium (DFE) to derive approximate disease extinction probabilities using probability generating functions (PGFs) and the backward Kolmogorov differential equation (BKDE). Our results show that random fluctuations can prevent an epidemic outbreak even when the seasonal reproduction number satisfies R 0 > 1 . We also quantify the spillover probability arising from a single infectious flea, demonstrating that seasonal forcing significantly alters outbreak risk. Along with this, an expression for time to extinction is also derived. To ensure biological understanding, we estimate model parameters from historical data using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach implemented via the Delayed Rejection Adaptive Metropolis (DRAM) algorithm. Through this analysis, we highlight the critical role of seasonality in shaping outbreak risk and demonstrate the limitations of relying solely on deterministic models.
Tropical animal health and productionEl-Sayed El-Alfy, Ibrahim Abbas
The present study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in Iraqi animals and birds. Data from 116 Iraqi studies were subjected to various meta-analyses, and all published Iraqi T. gondii-SAG3 and N. caninum-NC5 nucleotide sections were molecularly analyzed. For T. gondii, the pooled prevalence estimates in various animals exceeded the global averages. Cats showed a high seroprevalence (45.2%) and oocyst shedding (16.7%), suggesting a widespread environmental contamination. Sheep and goats exhibited high pooled seroprevalence (46.9% and 47.9%, respectively), and T. gondii DNA was frequently detected in sheep meat and goat milk, indicating their potential zoonotic risk. Nonetheless, limited studies tested T. gondii DNA in blood/tissues of aborted small ruminants, highlighting an important gap. Molecular analysis of 113 T. gondii isolates illustrated the predominance of the clonal types I and III, and their co-circulation among humans, animals, and birds, suggesting active zoonotic transmission. N. caninum displayed a seroprevalence of 12.3% and 8.1% in sheep and goats, respectively. N. caninum DNA was detected in aborted sheep, goats, and equines, highlighting its potential role in animal abortions in Iraq. However, N. caninum role in cattle abortions is unclear, but aborted cattle had a higher pooled N. caninum seroprevalence (21.2%) than non-aborted cattle (15.4%). Nine N. caninum haplotypes were detected across 22 isolates, with a shared haplotype between sheep and goats. These findings suggest the endemic situation of both protozoa in Iraqi animals and emphasize the need for integrated "One Health" surveillance to implement effective control strategies.
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiologySiqi Wang, Kaili Gao, Lianmin Li, Yiming Chang, Luyu Mao, Shuchang Cheng, Yang Bai, Shuya Yang, Sainan Li, Yongli Guo, Mingchun Gao
Cattle now occupy two epidemiologically distinct influenza interfaces. This Mini Review comparatively synthesizes epidemiological, pathological, experimental-transmission, genomic, and surveillance evidence for highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) and influenza D virus (IDV), asking how source ecology, tissue tropism, shedding, transmission, persistence, and zoonotic evidence differ between the two viruses. Genetically distinct H5N1 viruses have spilled over repeatedly from wild birds into United States dairy cattle. In lactating cows, infection is prominent in mammary alveolar epithelium and produces high titers of infectious virus in raw milk; inter-herd cattle movements have disseminated genotype B3.13 through dairy production networks. On affected farms, viral RNA has been detected in milk and respiratory specimens; infectious virus is recovered consistently from raw milk and mammary tissues but only sporadically from respiratory or environmental samples such as milking-parlour air and wastewater. These findings identify exposure settings but do not resolve the dominant natural cow-to-cow transmission route or how the virus reaches the mammary gland. Occupational infections have occurred, but sustained cattle adaptation or long-term reservoir status has not been demonstrated. In contrast, IDV is a cattle-adapted respiratory virus maintained through direct contact and short-range airborne transmission, with interlineage reassortment among IDV genome segments and frequent association with bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), although an independent causal role in BRDC remains unproven. Human seroreactivity and efficient replication in human airway models indicate exposure and biological compatibility, but not confirmed productive human infection or onward transmission. These contrasts support event-triggered, milk-centered investigation for H5N1 and longitudinal respiratory and genomic surveillance for IDV, built on shared One Health diagnostic, sequencing, epidemiological, and occupational-health infrastructure.
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiologyJörn Klein
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have undergone an unprecedented expansion of host range since 2021, moving from wild birds and poultry into dairy cattle, domestic cats, and other mammals, with sporadic human infections in Europe and North America (Food and Agriculture Organization et al., 2025a; Rolfes et al., 2025). This expansion is underpinned by well-characterised molecular mechanisms of influenza A virus evolution - antigenic drift, gene segment reassortment, and receptor-binding adaptation - that shape the frequency and direction of cross-species spillover (McDonald et al., 2016; Steel and Lowen, 2017; Man et al., 2026). Norwegian wild-bird and mammalian surveillance data document recurrent incursions of clade 2.3.4.4b viruses, and international risk assessments continue to describe low, but non-zero, human risk concentrated among individuals with close animal contact (World Health Organization, 2025-2026; Ytrehus et al; European Food Safety Authority et al., 2025a). Translating this fast-moving virological and epidemiological evidence into everyday protective behavior for children, adolescents, and families remains an underdeveloped link in pandemic preparedness, compounded by documented gaps in adolescent One Health literacy (Zucca et al., 2021). This mini review synthesizes current literature on the molecular basis of influenza cross-species transmission, the Norwegian epidemiological and One Health governance context, and established child- and family-oriented risk-communication frameworks, to argue that Norway's community-based public health nurses (helsesykepleiere) - who deliver near-universal, statutorily mandated contact with children and families through the helsestasjon- and skolehelsetjeneste - occupy a distinctive but underused position as One Health communication nodes (Helsedirektoratet, 2021). I outline a practical three-tier framework for translating zoonotic-influenza science into age-appropriate household guidance, critically appraise the feasibility, workload, training, and governance implications of this role, and identify priority gaps for future empirical and implementation research.
Hantaviruses are globally distributed reservoir-associated viruses that cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), mainly in Eurasia, and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS; also termed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, HPS), mainly in the Americas. Most human infections arise from exposure to rodent-contaminated environments, so clustered disease may reflect shared environmental exposure rather than interpersonal transmission. This Review uses China's long-term HFRS experience as a central case study for interface-centred preparedness. China demonstrates that sustained surveillance, reservoir monitoring, risk-defined vaccination, rodent control and environmental risk reduction can substantially reduce disease burden, but declining incidence does not mean disappearance of ecological risk. Its dual HTNV and SEOV ecology further shows that one clinical syndrome can arise from distinct agricultural and peri-domestic rat-associated interfaces. Andes virus (ANDV) provides a contrasting challenge: selected outbreaks have documented limited but consequential human-to-human transmission after close or prolonged contact. The 2026 MV Hondius event illustrates how such transmission can become an international contact-tracing problem when it occurs in mobile populations. Preparedness should therefore combine long-term management of rodent-derived interfaces, rapid discrimination between common-source clusters and ANDV secondary transmission, and response systems that remain effective when exposed persons, infected animals or close contacts cross geographical borders.
Pteropine orthoreoviruses are emerging bat-borne zoonotic viruses of the genus Orthoreovirus (family Reoviridae), increasingly recognized as causes of acute respiratory disease in humans. Originally grouped with the largely non-pathogenic mammalian orthoreoviruses, they have challenged that view through their association with severe influenza-like illness, evidence of human-to-human transmission, and a broad geographic range across the Old World. Maintained primarily in fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae, they are now linked to neurological as well as respiratory disease. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge of their molecular pathogenesis, zoonotic ecology, and global epidemiology, integrating recent advances in phylogeography, reassortment-driven evolution, spillover dynamics, and translational biomedical applications within a unified One Health framework. Genomic diversity, reassortment potential, and the unique fusion-associated small transmembrane proteins together underpin viral adaptability and pathogenicity. Major gaps nonetheless remain in transmission dynamics, host adaptation, shedding ecology, and pandemic potential. Future priorities should include integrated genomic surveillance, improved diagnostic strategies, validated experimental models, and interdisciplinary One Health approaches to strengthen outbreak preparedness and prevention.
PLoS neglected tropical diseasesLiesbeth Frias, Sergio Guerrero-Sanchez, Dirk U Pfeiffer
Following more than two decades of successful elimination of the New World screwworm fly from Central and North America, new outbreaks emerged in Panama in 2023, initially affecting livestock, and rapidly spreading northward to impact not only livestock but also companion animals and humans. Forest degradation, increasing cattle density, and climate-driven shifts in the fly's distribution-particularly its recolonization of regions it historically occupied-are converging to expose critical gaps in preparedness and cross-sector coordination. In this review, we examine the drivers of screwworm re‑emergence and present current clinical and epidemiological evidence of human infection, highlighting ongoing barriers to detection and response. Building on lessons from recent zoonotic health emergencies, we propose actionable One Health recommendations aimed at tackling the re-emergence of screwworm. An effective response will require sustained political commitment and coordinated cross-border collaboration to prevent further spread, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure that this myiasis is prioritized, ending the neglect of this tropical disease.
In recent decades, multiple novel reassortant avian influenza viruses (AIVs) carrying internal genes derived from H9N2 viruses have emerged in poultry in China and have repeatedly caused human infections, highlighting the pivotal role of the H9N2 internal genes cassette in facilitating cross-species transmission. In this study, five H6N1 and one H6N2 AIVs were isolated from chickens and Houdan chickens exhibiting respiratory symptoms. Genetic analyses revealed that the heamagglutinin (HA) genes of these H6 AIVs belonged to the ST339-like lineage and originated from H6 AIVs circulating in domestic geese in China, whereas the neuraminidase (NA) genes were derived from H9N2 or H5N1 AIVs, respectively. Notably, all six internal genes of these H6 isolates were derived from the G57 genotype H9N2 virus. In vitro studies demonstrated that these H6 AIVs replicated effectively in both avian and mammalian cells. The H6N2 isolate displayed dual receptor binding affinity for both avian-like and human-like receptors, whereas the five H6N1 viruses showed no detectable receptor binding affinity under the assay conditions in vitro. Reverse-genetics reassortant assay further revealed that the H6N1 HA itself possesses intrinsic dual receptor binding affinity. Furthermore, these H6 isolates exhibited high virulence in mice, and induced obvious respiratory symptoms in chickens, with efficient transmission among birds. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that H6 AIVs carrying the G57 H9N2 internal gene constellation are actively circulating in chicken populations and pose a substantial threat to poultry health, underscoring their potential risk to public health and the need for continued surveillance at the poultry-human interface.
PURPOSE: Entamoeba spp. are globally distributed zoonotic protozoa that infect humans and diverse animals, causing a spectrum of enteric diseases and posing a persistent threat to public health and animal husbandry. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. in non-human primates (NHPs) and molecularly assess potential zoonotic risk factors associated with these infections. METHODS: A total of 504 fecal samples were collected from Crab-eating macaques at commercial breeding farms in Beijing and Suzhou, China, which were then analyzed by PCR amplification and sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene to identify six distinct Entamoeba species. RESULTS: The infection rates were determined as follows: E. histolytica (8.13%, 41/504, 95% CI 5.7-10.5%), E. chattoni (5.95%, 30/504, 95% CI 3.9-8.0%), E. nuttalli (0.6%, 3/504, 95% CI 0-1.3%), E. moshkovskii (0.79%, 4/504, 95% CI 0-1.6%), E. coli (49.01%, 247/504, 95% CI 44.6-53.4%), and E. dispar (36.51%, 184/504, 95% CI 32.3-40.7%). E. coli was the most prevalent species, with infection risk significantly linked to host age (p < 0.0001). Phylogenetic analysis of 247 E. coli isolates from Crab‑eating macaques identified two distinct genotypes (SZ E. coli CEMs1 and SZ E. coli CEMs2), both clustering within the major E. coli clade and showing close affinity with human and other primate‑derived strains. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that macaque‑origin E. coli are phylogenetically closely related to isolates from humans and diverse animals, highlighting their potential for cross‑host transmission and underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance.
Emerging infectious diseasesAlexander M P Byrne, Lorcan Carnegie, Nicola S Lewis, Ian G Barr, Erik A Karlsson, Michelle Wille
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5Nx viruses remain a major zoonotic threat, yet global attention has focused largely on clade 2.3.4.4b, potentially overlooking major changes within long-endemic H5N1 lineages in Asia. Recent reports from South and Southeast Asia describe the emergence of reassortant clade 2.3.2.1 viruses alongside renewed human infections after apparent prolonged epidemiologic stability. Collectively, those events suggest a regional pattern rather than isolated anomalies. In this article, we argue that reassortment, rather than point mutation alone, might be an underrecognized driver of zoonotic risk in endemic H5N1 lineages and is reshaping those lineages. We examine why such events might be underrecognized in settings with entrenched poultry influenza, identify limitations of current surveillance systems, and call for integrated, real-time approaches linking genomic detection with phenotypic assessment across animal and human health sectors to enable timely risk assessment and coordinated public health action.
Science advancesJustin Lessler, C Jessica E Metcalf
How to best allocate resources to combat the threat of pathogen emergence remains an important open question. Using archetypes that characterize the link from genotype to fitness in both zoonotic reservoirs and humans, we show that, across a range of plausible conditions, emergences of pathogens with pandemic potential in humans are unlikely to be preceded by detectable, failed, attempts. Yet, the number of "failed" emergence events contains information about the emergence potential of zoonotic pathogens, and should modify our beliefs about the underlying fitness landscape. Our work suggests that the most important, modifiable, risk factors for emergence may be phenomena that alter fitness landscapes, such as viral ecology in bridge species and human immunological landscapes.
BACKGROUND: Zoonotic infectious disease risk arises at human-animal-environment interfaces where pathogen spillover can occur. Rural communities living in biodiverse settings may experience frequent contact with wildlife and shared environments through livelihoods, food practices, and economic activities. Reducing spillover risk and strengthening pandemic prevention requires both structural and individual-level change. Community-based interventions that promote awareness, risk perception, self-efficacy, pro-environmental behaviour, and safe coexistence with wildlife may support prevention by shifting behavioural determinants of zoonotic disease risk. The Saan Suk intervention was co-developed with rural communities in Thailand using a Human-Centred Design approach and is grounded in the Health Belief Model and One Health principles. The intervention is intended to be feasible, acceptable, and deliverable through Thailand's established Village Health Volunteer (VHV) system. METHODS: This protocol describes a parallel-arm, cluster-randomised controlled superiority trial that will be conducted during July - October 2026, in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. 24 villages will be equally randomised to the Saan Suk intervention or the current practice (control). In intervention villages, trained VHVs will deliver, once a week over four weeks, a multimodal One Health educational intervention designed to improve knowledge of zoonotic spillover, promote protective behaviours, reduce risky wildlife-related contacts, and support respectful coexistence with wildlife. Trained outcome assessment teams will conduct structured interviews with 42 adult participants per village, yielding a total sample size of 1,008 participants. The sample size was calculated for the primary outcome, accounting for clustering, with 90% power to detect a medium effect size (6 points on the 0-100 knowledge scale) at a significance level of 0.05, accounting for a design effect with an ICC of 0.028. The primary outcome is knowledge of zoonotic spillover, transmission pathways, risk factors, protective and risky behaviours, and safe coexistence with wildlife. Secondary outcomes include attitudes, self-efficacy, preventive and risky behaviours, and reported contacts with major local reservoir hosts. A structured questionnaire was developed, expert-reviewed, and piloted for the outcome assessment. Outcomes will be analysed using mixed-effects regression models with random effects for village and adjustment for relevant pre-specified confounders. Primary analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle. DISCUSSION: This trial will evaluate whether a co-designed, VHV-delivered One Health educational programme can improve knowledge of zoonotic disease prevention and behavioural determinants in rural communities living in close contact with wildlife and shared ecosystems. If effective and feasible, Saan Suk could inform integration into routine VHV training and community-based zoonotic disease and pandemic prevention strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Saan Suk trial is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS). Registration ID: DRKS00038582; date of registration: 11 May 2026.
Sporothrix brasiliensis is driving a major zoonotic epidemic in Brazil, predominantly via cat-to-human transmission. In the late 1990s major outbreaks were reported in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Rio Grande do Sul (RS), the southernmost state. We characterized the antifungal susceptibility and genetic diversity of 450 S. brasiliensis isolates collected between 2009 and 2024 in RS to better understand treatment response, emergence and transmission.A bimodal distribution of the itraconazole minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was observed with 24% non-wild-type (NWT) isolates. Short tandem repeat genotyping revealed three main clades: One associated with RJ strains (Clade I) and two novel clades (Clades II and III). Clade II formed large transmission clusters with < 20% of isolates being NWT for itraconazole, similar to Clade I. Clade III demonstrated less clustering, higher genetic variation and NWT MICs for 89% of isolates. Finally, all NWT strains in human patients with cat-transmitted disease and available clinical data, appeared isolated prior to azole exposure.We report the emergence of genetically distinct S. brasiliensis clades in RS with different rates of reduced itraconazole susceptibility and evidence of zoonotic transmission of NWT isolates. Our findings highlight the urgent need for antifungal stewardship and surveillance in these endemic regions.
Veterinary research communicationsNourhan S Elsayed, Mohamed Abdelsalam
BACKGROUND: Fish and fishery products are central to global food security, providing high-quality protein and essential micronutrients to populations worldwide. The intensification of aquaculture, expansion of international seafood trade, and growing consumer preference for minimally processed fish products have increased human exposure to bacterial pathogens at multiple points along the production-to-consumption chain. AIM AND METHODS: This review evaluates bacterial hazards in fish and fish products using recent epidemiological surveillance, field investigations, and systematic reviews. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and priority was given to peer-reviewed studies and to international food safety agency documentation. Pathogens assessed include Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli, covering transmission dynamics, virulence determinants, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), diagnostic strategies, and evidence-based prevention. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Contamination occurs at distinct stages from aquaculture to consumption, with different risk profiles for each pathogen. Vibrio spp. and Aeromonas spp. are the main ecological hazards in marine and freshwater aquaculture respectively, with confirmed zoonotic potential and climate-sensitive distribution. Salmonella spp. and E. coli reach fish products chiefly through environmental faecal contamination, with multidrug-resistant strains reported across multiple continents. L. monocytogenes poses particular risk in ready-to-eat and cold-smoked products because of its ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures, while C. perfringens remains the least studied hazard in fish matrices. AMR among fish-associated bacteria is an escalating One Health concern, driven by antibiotic overuse in aquaculture and spread through horizontal gene transfer. Effective control requires coordinated One Health action: good aquaculture practices, HACCP-based processing controls, non-thermal preservation technologies, and harmonised AMR surveillance.
Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina TropicalAna Carolina Magalhães Nascimento, Luiza Rennó Rocha De Oliveira, Maria Amélia Lopes Dos Santos, Elcilane Gomes Silva, Francisca Regina Oliveira Carneiro, Rena…
BACKGROUND: The number of sporotrichosis cases in Brazil has been continuously increasing, primarily due to zoonotic transmission in urban areas. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of human sporotrichosis in a reference center in the Amazon region. METHODS: This case series study analyzed the medical records of patients diagnosed with sporotrichosis at a dermatology reference service in Northern Brazil. RESULTS: Most patients presented with the localized cutaneous form. Diagnosis was confirmed using clinical and epidemiological criteria, histopathology, and/or culture. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic suspicion, especially in endemic areas, and early treatment are essential to reduce morbidity, sequelae, and adverse outcomes.
Emerging microbes & infectionsMarkos Tibbo, Robert Barigye, Gobena Ameni
Marburg virus disease (MVD) is re-emerging across Africa as a high-consequence zoonosis shaped by expanding ecological suitability, repeated spillover, and uneven surveillance capacity. This review synthesizes current evidence on the ecological, epidemiological, and operational determinants of contemporary Marburg virus (MARV) emergence. We conceptualize MVD as an ecological-emergence system produced by interactions among reservoir-host biology, environmental change, human exposure, health-system readiness, and mobility, rather than as a series of isolated outbreaks. Recent detections in multiple African regions indicate wider enzootic circulation than previously recognized and support repeated, reservoir-associated introductions from distributed ecological foci. Spillover risk is heightened where mining, land-use change, agricultural encroachment, settlement growth, climate-sensitive habitat disruption, and population movement increase contact with Egyptian rousette bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) and contaminated roost environments. Following primary spillover, diagnostic delays, fragmented surveillance, limited laboratory decentralization, healthcare-associated transmission, and mobility-linked exposure can enable outbreak amplification and delayed recognition. Serological findings further suggest possible "shadow epidemiology," with unrecognized or mild MARV infections occurring outside confirmed outbreak chains. Critical preparedness gaps persist in ecological risk mapping, longitudinal reservoir surveillance, decentralized molecular diagnostics, genomic sequencing, data integration, and cross-border early warning. Future preparedness should move beyond reactive containment toward integrated One Health approach combining predictive ecological surveillance, rapid community-level detection, real-time genomics, infection prevention, risk communication, and regional coordination to identify spillover early and prevent human transmission.
VirusesMd Wajed Ali, Md Eram Hosen, Md Mizanur Rahaman, Robert Kinobe, Martina Jelocnik, Subir Sarker
Wildlife-origin viral diseases are an increasing One Health challenge in Australia, with climate change emerging as a key driver of disease emergence, transmission, and spillover. Australian wildlife, particularly marsupials, birds, and bats, serve as important reservoirs of zoonotic and vector-borne viruses. However, the combined influence of wildlife reservoirs and climate change on viral disease ecology in Australia has not been comprehensively synthesised. This review examines the epidemiology, significance, and climate sensitivity of wildlife-associated viral diseases and evaluates how climate change and variability affect reservoir host ecology, vector biology, viral persistence, and host-pathogen-vector interactions. Thirteen major wildlife-associated viruses of One Health importance were identified, with transmission predominantly involving wildlife reservoirs and mosquito vectors. Temperature and rainfall were the principal climatic drivers influencing the transmission of Ross River virus (RRV), Barmah Forest virus (BFV), Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus/Kunjin virus (WNV/KUNV), and avian influenza A virus (AIV). For most mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs), temperature exhibited a non-linear relationship with transmission, while above-average rainfall generally increased outbreak risk by promoting mosquito abundance, habitat availability, and reservoir host activity. Significant knowledge gaps remain in wildlife virome surveillance, climate-disease pathways, and integrated One Health surveillance. Strengthening climate-informed surveillance that integrates wildlife, vectors, genomics, epidemiology, and predictive modelling will improve outbreak preparedness and reduce the risk of viral emergence and spillover in Australia.
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiologyBicong Wu, Sheng Zhao, Yifei Nie, Chunxiao Liu, Hong Bo, Xue Luo, Yun Song, Lin Zhu, Baifan Zhang, Yujiao Mu, Haiyan Wei, Jingjing Pan, Haifeng Wang, Ying Ye, …
INTRODUCTION: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) continue to circulate in live poultry markets (LPMs), posing potential risks for zoonotic exposure. This study investigated the environmental circulation of AIVs and their potential epidemiological associations with human infection in Henan Province, China. METHODS: We analyzed 7,956 environmental samples collected from poultry-associated settings in Henan Province between 2020 and 2025. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with AIV detection. Serological surveillance was conducted among occupationally exposed individuals, and phylogenetic analyses were performed to characterize the genetic relationships between human-derived and environmental AIVs. RESULTS: A total of 1,460 samples (18.35%) tested positive for AIVs. LPMs were significantly associated with higher odds of AIV detection (OR = 7.211, 95% CI: 5.039-10.319, P < 0.001), and the odds of AIV detection increased over the surveillance period (OR = 1.254, 95% CI: 1.210-1.301, P < 0.001). Multiple AIV subtypes were detected, with H9N2 remaining predominant throughout the study period. Five human infections were identified, including H5N6 and H3N8 infections in 2022 and three H9N2 infections in 2025. Serological surveillance identified H9N2-seropositive and H3N8-reactive samples among occupationally exposed individuals. Phylogenetic analyses revealed genetic similarities between human-derived and environmental viruses. Three H3N8 viruses, including one isolated from a human case, formed a distinct phylogenetic cluster, with their internal genes closely related to co-circulating H9N2 viruses. DISCUSSION: These findings demonstrate sustained circulation of multiple AIV subtypes in poultry-associated environments and highlight the importance of integrated environmental and human surveillance for the early detection of viruses with zoonotic potential.
Frontiers in public healthSudhakar Natarajan, Sriram Selvaraju, Kannan Palaniyandi, Umashankar Vetrivel, J Nancy Hilda, Kannan Thiruvengadam, Senthil Kumar Balakrishnan, Padmapriyadarsi…
BACKGROUND: The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing the growing threat of zoonotic diseases. This study aims to establish an integrated One Health surveillance system for the early detection and monitoring of zoonotic respiratory viral infections at the human-animal-environment interface in Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu, India. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to establish a longitudinal surveillance system for the early detection of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic respiratory viral infections across livestock animals, animal handlers, and the farm environment interface; and ii) determine the occurrence and distribution of selected zoonotic respiratory viruses, and assess the influence of seasonal and climatic factors on their occurrence and transmission. METHODS: Following sensitization of farm owners and animal handlers through the Animal Husbandry Department, 40 livestock farms from four selected blocks of Tiruvallur District, rearing cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, swine, and poultry, will be enrolled in each surveillance round. Animal nasal swabs, respiratory samples from animal handlers, and environmental samples (air and wastewater) will be collected. Field surveillance will be carried out by a study team comprising a veterinarian and field investigators. Sixteen surveillance rounds (eight rounds annually) will be conducted over 2 years, covering two complete climatic cycles. Approximately 7,360 animal swab samples, 960 samples from animal handlers, and 960 environmental samples will be collected in each study phase. Animal samples will be screened using a pooled testing strategy followed by real-time RT-PCR for the detection of selected zoonotic respiratory viruses, while human samples will be tested individually. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: The study is expected to establish a robust One Health surveillance framework and generate baseline epidemiological data on zoonotic respiratory viruses circulating among livestock, animal handlers, and the farm environment in Tamil Nadu. The findings will strengthen integrated surveillance, support early warning systems, facilitate timely veterinary and public health responses, and provide evidence to inform future One Health policies and preparedness strategies for emerging zoonotic respiratory viral infections.
VirusesTom R W Tipton, Joseph A Bore, Joseph Timothy, Stephanie Longet, Stephen M Laidlaw, Grace Hood, Craig Thompson, Jack Mellors, Ifono Kekoura, Millimon S Lucien,…
Objectives: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused major morbidity, mortality, and economic disruption, highlighting the need to better understand zoonotic spillover risks posed by coronaviruses. We investigated whether archived human sera from forested Guinea contained evidence of prior exposure to coronaviruses antigenically related to known pathogenic human coronaviruses. Methods: Archived sera collected in 2017-2018 from wildlife hunter communities in Guinea were analysed using serological assays against spike glycoproteins from SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and seasonal human coronaviruses. Binding responses to receptor binding domains were also assessed, together with spatial and subgroup analyses. Results: Pre-pandemic sera showed IgG cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV spike antigens. A distinct subgroup demonstrated strong binding to both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV receptor binding domains. Conclusions: These findings highlight the utility of sero-epidemiology in identifying potential zoonotic spillover. However, further investigation is needed to identify these viruses and determine their homology to known pathogenic coronaviruses.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)Mihaela Niculae, Petru Cosmin Peştean, Victor Mazanov, George Cosmin Nadăş, Smaranda Crăciun, Stephanie Lea Oren, Ioli Kontrafouri, Haykanush Arakelyan
Brucella canis is a recognized zoonotic pathogen associated with human infection in a variety of epidemiological settings; however, the magnitude of its impact on human health remains uncertain because of its nonspecific clinical presentation, limited availability of species-specific diagnostic methods, and insufficient awareness among physicians, veterinarians, microbiologists, and public health professionals. Unlike classical human brucellosis caused by smooth Brucella species, B. canis infection may be overlooked, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis and incomplete case detection. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the epidemiology, transmission pathways, occupational and non-occupational risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, treatment, and public health implications of human B. canis infection. Particular emphasis is placed on published human cases, laboratory-acquired infections, household clusters, cases reported in different age and immune-status groups, and the biological and epidemiological characteristics of canine infection that facilitate zoonotic transmission. The review further examines the limitations of currently available microbiological, serological, and molecular diagnostic methods, the lack of harmonized surveillance systems, and the consequences of inadequate recognition from a One Health perspective. Collectively, the available evidence confirms the zoonotic potential of B. canis but remains insufficient to define the true burden of human infection. Improving clinical awareness, strengthening collaboration between veterinary and human health sectors, expanding access to standardized diagnostic tools, and implementing integrated One Health surveillance may improve recognition and reduce zoonotic risk.
(1) Background: Brazil features one of the largest recycling workforces worldwide, with around 800,000 informal waste pickers, mostly living in urban areas of major cities and dealing with low income and precarious working conditions. This context of vulnerability may lead to a high risk of food insecurity, which may be associated with infectious diseases, particularly toxocariasis, a cosmopolitan neglected parasitic zoonosis with high seroprevalence in tropical countries. (2) Methods: Accordingly, this study assessed Toxocara spp. seropositivity and associated risk factors (including food insecurity) in recycling workers of Curitiba, a major Brazilian (fully urban) city currently ranked 8th in population with 1.83 million habitants, 7th in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 10th in Human Development Index (HDI) with 0.823 (very high), out of 5569 Brazilian cities. Recycling and non-recycling (used as population control) workers living in the same neighborhood were invited, voluntarily signed consent forms, and had blood serum samples collected and tested by ELISA for detecting anti-Toxocara spp. (IgG) antibodies; in addition, an epidemiological questionnaire (socioeconomic characteristics, owning dog/cat, food and hygiene habits) was applied. (3) Results: Overall, 95/177 (53.7%) recycling and 38/100 (38.0%) non-recycling workers tested positive by ELISA, with recycling workers more likely seropositive than non-recycling population (53.7% vs. 38.0%; OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.15-3.12%). Food insecurity (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.04-3.91) and low (<1 minimum wage) monthly household income (OR = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.01-9.71) were associated with Toxocara spp. seropositivity by multivariate analysis. As expected, cohabitation with both dogs and cats was also significantly associated with seropositivity (OR = 3.75, 95% CI: 1.48-9.75). However, other assessed variables (gender, age, ethnicity, hygienic habits, contact with soil, raw meat ingestion) were not associated with seropositivity. (4) Conclusions: The study herein has filled a gap regarding toxocariasis in vulnerable populations and suggests food insecurity as a socioeconomic indicator for Toxocara spp. seropositivity in recycling workers. Furthermore, recycling workers are at higher risk of infection and, as such, need to be prioritized in healthcare programs.
Frontiers in public healthYusuf Hared Abdi, Zakaria Ibrahim Issack
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed profound weaknesses in global infectious disease surveillance yet, in its aftermath, pandemic-prone threats have intensified rather than receded. This narrative review synthesizes contemporary evidence on three converging drivers of pandemic risk zoonotic emergence, antimicrobial resistance, and climate-sensitive disease expansion and examines how structural failures in surveillance and global health governance amplify their impact. Drawing on recent epidemiological analyses, policy reports, and One Health evaluations, the review maps post-COVID surges in zoonotic outbreaks, drug-resistant infections, and vector and water-borne diseases, and links these trends to fragmented laboratory networks, inequitable genomic capacity, and weak integration across human, animal, and environmental systems. It further interrogates the geopolitical and socioeconomic determinants of vulnerability, including conflict-related surveillance collapse, vaccine inequity, and the political economy of pandemic financing. Emerging digital tools from AI-enabled forecasting to wastewater and social media surveillance are assessed not only for their technical promise but also for risks related to data bias, extractives, and governance gaps. The review argues that without redistributive investment in One Health integration, regional genomic platforms, community-based surveillance, and enforceable IHR-based accountability, the world will continue to detect converging threats late and respond inequitably, leaving pandemic preparedness structurally fragile in the post-COVID era.
Babesiosis is a disease caused by species of Apicomplexan protozoa of the genus Babesia. Species of Babesia parasitize the red blood cells of mammals and may cause clinical disease with varying levels of morbidity or mortality. Babesia spp. are naturally maintained and transmitted in hosts through their respective hard tick vectors, and a range of domestic and wild mammals serve as reservoirs for these parasites. Humans may become accidentally infected by some species of Babesia through bites from infected ticks or through blood transfusions and organ transplants from infected donors. Depending on the immune status of the host, humans can either remain asymptomatic (thus acting as carrier hosts) or suffer from clinical disease with varying intensities. Several known species and unknown or novel species of Babesia are being reported to be associated with zoonotic infection and disease. This Chapter discusses the transmission, pathogenesis, epidemiology, treatment and control of zoonotic babesiosis.
Veterinary research communicationsShivani Rohilla, Ankush Kumar
Domesticated camels (Camelus dromedarius) play a crucial role in the livelihood of people inhabiting arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Despite their adaptation to harsh desert environments, camels harbor a wide diversity of gastrointestinal parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and cestodes, many of which significantly affect animal health, productivity, and public health. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the gastrointestinal parasites of dromedary camels, with emphasis on their prevalence, epidemiology, pathogenicity, zoonotic importance, and control strategies. Gastrointestinal helminths such as Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Strongyloides, Trichuris, and Fasciola spp. are widely reported, with Haemonchus longistipes being among the most pathogenic, causing severe anemia and economic losses. Gastrointestinal protozoan infections of camels include mainly coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.), cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.) and cystoisosporosis (Cystoisospora orlovi).Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), and sarcocystosis (Sarcocystis spp.) are orally transmitted although they do not cause gastrointestinal infections in camels. Protozoan infections can be important due to their impact on young camels and productivity losses, while infections such as cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis additionally have zoonotic significance. Epidemiological studies from different geographical regions reveal wide variations in prevalence, influenced by age, sex, climatic conditions, husbandry practices, and diagnostic methods. Increasing reports of anthelmintic resistance further complicate parasite control in camels. Advances in diagnostic approaches, including molecular techniques, have improved parasite detection and identification, particularly for zoonotic species. Effective control requires an integrated approach combining strategic chemotherapy, improved management practices, hygiene, awareness among camel owners, and exploration of alternative therapies such as medicinal plants. Further research is essential to better understand the epidemiology, economic impact, and public health significance of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in camels.
European journal of clinical investigationMatteo Bassetti, Chiara Sepulcri, Luca Maria Bucci, Daniele Roberto Giacobbe, Antonio Vena
BACKGROUND: Andes virus (ANDV) has recently emerged as a significant public health concern following a multi-country outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship in April 2026, with 13 identified cases and three deaths among passengers and crew. METHODS: We reviewed available literature from PubMed and Google Scholar databases and searched international health agencies, including the World Health Organisation and national public health authorities, for current outbreak information and up-to-date epidemiological data. RESULTS: ANDV is a zoonotic orthohantavirus endemic in southern Chile and Argentina, with Oligoryzomys longicaudatus as its principal reservoir. Approximately 300 cases of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome occur annually in the Americas. The virus causes severe disease through endothelial dysfunction and vascular leakage, resulting in rapidly progressive pulmonary edema and shock. Human-to-human transmission is characteristic of ANDV and occurs through respiratory and salivary routes during prolonged close contact. Clinical presentation includes nonspecific prodromal symptoms followed by rapid cardiopulmonary deterioration. Diagnosis relies on serological assays and RT-qPCR. Management is predominantly supportive, emphasising hemodynamic monitoring and early consideration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: Despite ANDV's severity and high mortality, its epidemic potential seems to be low. However, the recent outbreak underscores the importance of international surveillance coordination and rapid diagnostic capabilities for emerging zoonotic infections.
Veterinary medicine and scienceDelilah Diana Namara, Paul Ssajjakambwe, Sarah Robinah Nakabuye, Vanessa Alyj Katabazi, Celsus Sente
BACKGROUND: Zoonotic diseases are a health challenge at the human-wildlife interface with increasing threat to public health. This study aimed at generating baseline data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in tortoises and birds at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC). OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were determining the common antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among birds and tortoises, to establish the antibiograms of isolated bacteria and lastly to genotypically screen the selected genes that code for resistance using a conventional polymerization chain reaction. METHODS: Standard bacteriological methods of culturing and isolation of bacteria, Kirby-Bauer sensitivity method and molecular techniques were used at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity at Makerere University. RESULTS: Escherichia coli was isolated from all the 23 bird samples, 23/23 (100%). In the tortoises, 2/15 (13%) and 13/15 (86%) isolates were E. coli and Salmonella enteritidis, respectively. E. coli showed equally higher resistance to ampicillin and SXT (68%), whereas S. enteritidis exhibited resistance to only ciprofloxacin (30.8%). Sul-2 resistance genes were detected in 52% of E. coli and 15.4% of S. enteritidis isolates. CONCLUSION: The UWEC management and workers are encouraged to take care and use personal protection equipment when handling the birds and tortoises to minimize the possibility of transfer of MDR isolates from animals to humans.
APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica ScandinavicaPetra Strakova, Martina Dokulilova, Marta Heroldova, Andrea Fortova, Josef Suchomel, Ivo Rudolf, Jiri Salat
The common vole (Microtus arvalis) is one of the most abundant rodent species in Europe and is known for its cyclic population outbreaks, which result in significant crop damage and an increased risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens to humans. In this study, we confirmed that common voles are an important reservoir of multiple zoonotic pathogens in South Moravia, Czech Republic, with a high prevalence of infection and frequent co-infections. Overall, we found 70 (50%), 72 (51.4%), 50 (35.7%) and 35 (25%) positive voles for Leptospira spp., Bartonella spp., Brucella spp. and TULV, respectively. Our results highlight the significant epidemiological role of this species in agricultural ecosystems. Therefore, further studies are needed to monitor vole populations and other small mammal species in this area to better understand pathogen dynamics and assess potential risks to human and animal health.
Nipah virus (NiV) is a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus of the genus Henipavirus, family Paramyxoviridae. The World Health Organization has declared NiV a priority pathogen with a great public health risk due to its epidemic potential and lack of sufficient countermeasures. In humans, the virus causes Nipah viral disease (NVD), characterized by acute respiratory failure and/or encephalitis. Long-term assessments of NVD survivors have revealed persistent neurological dysfunction, including encephalopathy, cerebral atrophy, hyperintensities, ocular motor palsies, and dystonia. The entry of NiV into the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the critical and less studied aspects of its pathogenesis. NiV rapidly targets the olfactory epithelial cells in the nasal turbinate and subsequently infects neurons, allowing its spread into the CNS via axonal transport. In addition, infection of immature dendritic cells has been associated with severe CNS disease, supporting a potential role of hematogenous dissemination in neuroinvasion. Overall, understanding the molecular mechanism and the role of host factors in NiV neuropathogenesis is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat NVD. The present review delves into the neuropathogenic mechanism and immunobiology of NiV infection, as well as advancements in therapeutic modalities and vaccines against NVD.
Veterinary medicine and scienceAli Asghari, Ali Pouryousef, Kambiz Karimi, Amin Kheiri, Mohammad Reza Soltani, Farajolah Maleki
BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium spp. are important protozoan parasites infecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including reptiles. In snakes, this parasite is primarily associated with chronic gastrointestinal disease and substantial genetic diversity, including potentially zoonotic species. However, epidemiological data remain fragmented and heterogeneous. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from database inception to 5 May 2026. Additional studies were identified through Google Scholar and reference screening. Eligible studies reporting Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence in snakes were included. Pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression and publication bias assessment were also performed. RESULTS: A total of 35 studies comprising 36 datasets were included. The pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes was 12.6% (95% CI: 9.2%-17.0%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 92.1%). Captive-associated snakes showed higher pooled prevalence (12.7%) than wild/free-ranging snakes (8.7%). Molecular methods yielded higher prevalence estimates than microscopic techniques. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated stable pooled estimates (11.7%-13.6%). Meta-regression showed a significant association between sample size and prevalence, whereas publication year was not significant. Egger's test indicated significant publication bias (p = 0.02). Eight Cryptosporidium species were identified in snakes, including Cryptosporidium serpentis, Cryptosporidium tyzzeri, Cryptosporidium varanii, Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium baileyi, Cryptosporidium andersoni and Cryptosporidium hominis. The most frequently reported species were C. serpentis, C. tyzzeri, C. varanii, and C. muris. Several zoonotic species, including C. muris, C. parvum, C. tyzzeri, C. baileyi, C. andersoni and C. hominis were detected mostly in captive-associated snakes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that Cryptosporidium infection is relatively common in snakes and exhibits considerable genetic diversity. The detection of zoonotic species highlights the potential epidemiological importance of snakes within a One Health context, particularly in captive-associated environments. However, substantial heterogeneity, limited data from wild populations and incomplete molecular characterization warrant cautious interpretation of the findings. Further large-scale molecular epidemiological studies are needed to better clarify the ecology and zoonotic significance of Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes.
Reviews in medical virologyFrancesco De Maria, Francesco Branda, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Fabio Scarpa, Massimo Ciccozzi, Alessandro Russo
Hantaviruses are emerging zoonotic pathogens of increasing global public health significance. Their epidemiological landscape is rapidly changing due to ecological disruption, climate variability, urbanisation, and evolving human-animal interfaces. This narrative review synthesises current knowledge on hantavirus virology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical management, and emerging countermeasures, with a focus on developments from the past 5 years. Traditionally classified into Old World viruses causing haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and New World viruses causing hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), this dichotomy has become increasingly blurred, with overlapping renal and pulmonary manifestations now recognized. Among the most consequential recent advances is the consolidated evidence for person-to-person transmission of Andes virus, documented among household contacts and during the prodromal phase, with viral shedding in respiratory secretions. Endothelial dysfunction remains the pathological hallmark of severe disease, driven by VEGF sensitisation, Src kinase and RhoA pathway activation, pericyte infection, and dysregulated inflammatory responses including IL-6 trans-signalling. Concurrently, environmental and ecological studies have linked climate change, rodent population dynamics, land-use modification, and urbanisation to increased human disease risk across multiple continents. Diagnostic strategies continue to rely on serology and molecular testing, while management remains predominantly supportive, with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) improving survival in fulminant HCPS. Importantly, recent structural virology advances have enabled the development of broadly neutralising monoclonal antibodies targeting conserved quaternary epitopes, as well as next-generation vaccine platforms including DNA, mRNA, and prefusion-stabilised glycoprotein candidates. Hantaviruses represent a paradigmatic One Health challenge at the intersection of environmental change, viral evolution, and global interconnectedness. Despite major progress in understanding transmission dynamics and endothelial pathogenesis, critical gaps remain regarding determinants of person-to-person spread, long-term post-infection sequelae, and the absence of licenced broadly protective vaccines or specific antiviral therapies. Future preparedness will require integrated surveillance frameworks combining ecological monitoring, genomic epidemiology, and clinical readiness within coordinated international public health strategies.
Voprosy virusologiiV S Kichatova, A V Zotova, I A Potemkin, M A Lopatukhina, F A Mobarhan, E Y Malinnikova, S V Samokhvalov, O P Kurganova, K K Kyuregyan, V G Akimkin, M I Mikhai…
INTRODUCTION: The Amur Region (AR) is a territory with developed pig farming and traditional reindeer herding, which creates potential risks for transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) zoonotic genotypes. The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of anti-HEV antibody prevalence among AR residents with different levels of zoonotic risk of HEV infection (living in areas with developed pig farming and traditional reindeer herding), as well as among pig and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1114 serum samples from conditionally healthy volunteers of three groups were tested for anti-HEV antibodies using ELISA: residents of settlement No. 1 at the pig-breeding complex (n = 90), residents of settlement No. 2 engaged in traditional reindeer herding (n = 102), and residents of other areas of the AR (n = 922). Blood sera from pigs (n = 197) and reindeer (n = 97) were also tested for anti-HEV antibodies in ELISA with a species-specific conjugate. HEV RNA detection was performed in the reindeer blood sera and swine fecal samples using nested PCR and real-time PCR. Risk factors were assessed using the binary logistic regression method. RESULTS: Anti-HEV IgG antibody detection rate among residents of Settlement No. 1 was 14.4%, significantly higher compared to residents of Settlement No. 2 (3.9%) and other regions of the AR (3.8%). The independent predictors of HEV seropositivity were residence in Settlement No. 1 (OR = 6.32) and age (OR = 1.06). The detection rates of anti-HEV IgG antibody were 96.4% among pigs and 92.8% among reindeer. Despite the high seroprevalence among reindeer, reindeer herders and their family members were not a risk group for HEV infection (OR = 0.8). No HEV RNA was detected in animal samples. CONCLUSION: The HEV seroprevalence rate detected among the population of the AR corresponds to the Russian average level. Pig farm workers and their family members are at increased risk of HEV infection, which justifies the need to develop preventive measures for this group. The high seroprevalence among reindeer requires further molecular research to clarify their role as a zoonotic reservoir of HEV infection.
Frontiers in public healthAmmar Yasir, Gillian A M Tarr, Claudia Munoz-Zanzi
INTRODUCTION: Leptospirosis is a complex zoonotic disease requiring high-resolution surveillance. A systems-thinking framework was used to connect genomic and ecological data and map the geographic and host-based structuring of co-circulating pathogenic Leptospira lineages in Puerto Rico. METHODS: Forty-four core genomes of L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, and L. kirschneri from human, domestic, and wildlife hosts were analyzed. Spatiotemporal and landscape metadata were integrated using root-to-tip regression, isolation-by-distance profiling and calibrated single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) thresholds (≤1, ≤5, and ≤10 SNPs) to define transmission clusters. RESULTS: Leptospira species exhibited distinct ecological pathways partitioned by geography, explaining 56% of genomic variance for L. interrogans and 91% for L. borgpetersenii (PERMANOVA). L. interrogans displayed high landscape connectivity across multiple hosts, forming localized networks (≤1 to ≤10 SNPs) that capture active spillovers (human-to-rat linkages at ≤1 SNP) and resolved into rodent host-specific lineages (R2 = 0.34). Conversely, L. borgpetersenii showed spatial and temporal genomic homogeneity and a lack of host-associated structure within an unpartitioned transmission pool dominated by Mus musculus. As a result, fixed genomic thresholds yielded disparate outcomes: L. interrogans resolved into 4 to 5 discrete, expanding clusters, whereas L. borgpetersenii grouped into a single uniform population at the ≤10-SNP threshold. CONCLUSION: Co-circulating pathogenic leptospires occupy distinct ecological niches shaped by varying host restriction and environmental persistence. Fixed genomic thresholds lack universal applicability; effective genomic epidemiological surveillance must employ species-specific threshold calibration to accurately map transmission pathways.