One Health Microbiology & Infection

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in poultry production is driven by interactions among animal health, antimicrobial use, farm microenvironments, bacterial ecology, and food-chain exposure. This study evaluated whole plant black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker) powder as a locally available phytogenic intervention for yellow-feather Rilai broilers challenged with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) under cold-humid stress. A total of 180 one-day-old male chicks were assigned to four treatments, with three replicate pens per treatment and 15 birds per pen: non-challenged control, E. coli-challenged control, antibiotic-treated challenged control, and black-ginger-supplemented challenged birds. Black ginger was provided continuously from day 1 to day 84 at 5 g/kg feed, before and after the day-35 APEC challenge. Compared with the challenged control, black ginger supplementation improved clinical response and feed conversion and reduced cecal E. coli and coliform counts. It also lowered malondialdehyde concentration and was associated with lower end-point abundance of selected AMR genes (blaTEM, tetA, sul1, qnrS, and mcr-1) than in the antibiotic-treated challenged group. However, no pre-treatment AMR baseline, phenotypic resistance testing, or whole resistome analysis was performed; therefore, AMR results should be interpreted as cecal gene-abundance indicators rather than proof of reduced antimicrobial resistance. These findings support black ginger as a promising preventive phytogenic supplement that may improve host resilience under combined climatic and infectious stress, but not as a replacement for veterinary antimicrobial therapy when clinically required.

The One Health (OH) approach promotes integrated, multi-sectoral collaboration to address complex health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. This study examined operational gaps and opportunities to strengthen multi-sectoral OH coordination in Tanzania, drawing on empirical data and lessons from recent Marburg virus disease outbreaks. Given the growing number of emerging and re-emerging threats, the research aimed to develop a context-specific framework to enhance OH governance, communication, collaboration, and capacity building. A descriptive cross-sectional design included 101 participants from the health, livestock, agriculture, environment, and wildlife sectors across three regions (Arusha, Iringa, and Dodoma). Data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods to assess knowledge, awareness, communication, and institutional structures. General findings revealed weak inter-sectoral coordination, limited awareness of OH guidelines, siloed operations, ad hoc communication, inadequate training, and insufficient financial resources, particularly at the subnational level. At the subnational level, only 33.7% (n=34) reported awareness of OH, and 27.7% (n=28) could identify core elements of OH. Coordination was largely reactive: 76.2% (n=77) were engaged only during crises, while routine operations remained fragmented. Communication was similarly ad hoc: 58.4% (n=59) reported it, and only 28.7% (n=29) reported regular interaction during outbreaks. Resource mobilization was donor-dependent and unpredictable, constraining preparedness and response. A striking 78.2% (n=79) of subnational participants reported a lack of policy integration and limited awareness of OH guidelines, while 56.4% (n=57) indicated unclear roles and responsibilities. The proposed framework offers a practical roadmap for institutionalizing OH in Tanzania. Its implementation is expected to enhance preparedness, early detection, and response to health threats, while fostering resilience and whole of government collaboration. It provides a scalable model for strengthening health security and operationalizing OH in similar contexts. Therefore, it is recommended that the proposed operational framework be tested and its performance systematically evaluated during future outbreak responses in Tanzania and extended to broader contexts beyond.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely recognized as a One Health (OH) challenge requiring coordinated action across the human, veterinary, and environmental sectors. However, current frameworks primarily focus on antimicrobial use, transmission pathways, and resistant organisms, while largely overlooking the ecological source from which resistance develops. Biofilms, the predominant lifestyle of many clinically relevant microorganisms, represent such a source. Their extracellular matrix and phenotypic heterogeneity contribute to antimicrobial tolerance, while their spatial arrangement facilitates horizontal gene transfer, making biofilms reservoirs for AMR evolution. Biofilm-associated infections are common in both human and veterinary medicine, including surgical site infections (SSIs), chronic wounds, periodontal disease, and device-related infections. Despite similarities in causative pathogens, infection biology, antimicrobial exposure, and clinical management, these infections are largely investigated independently. Opportunities to identify shared biological mechanisms and develop cross-sector preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies remain unexplored. This opinion article proposes to implement the OH Biofilm framework, recognizing biofilms as shared ecological and evolutionary entities across human and veterinary medicine. SSIs and periodontitis are used as illustrative examples to demonstrate the similarities between the two sectors. Integrating biofilm biology into OH surveillance, research, prevention, diagnostics, and antimicrobial stewardship may provide a more mechanistic and effective framework for combating AMR.

Antimicrobial resistance has emerged as a major challenge for both human and veterinary health, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Bovine mastitis remains one of the most economically significant infectious diseases affecting dairy production worldwide. In this narrative review, we examine current evidence regarding the antibacterial potential of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) and its major bioactive constituents, particularly punicalagin, against clinically relevant multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Recent studies indicate that pomegranate-derived extracts possess antibacterial activity against several mastitis-associated organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Experimental evidence suggests that punicalagin may contribute to membrane destabilization, increased membrane permeability, interference with biofilm formation, and modulation of bacterial stress-response pathways, although the relative importance of these mechanisms appears to vary among bacterial species and experimental systems. Several studies have also reported synergistic interactions between pomegranate-derived compounds and conventional antibiotics against selected multidrug-resistant pathogens. Despite these promising findings, the current evidence remains dominated by in vitro investigations, while in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetic characterization, toxicological assessment, and clinical validation remain limited.

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is an economically significant vector-borne viral disease of cattle and buffaloes caused by an Ephemerovirus in the family Rhabdoviridae. The disease causes production losses and trade restrictions. Although BEF has been reported in several neighboring countries, it had not previously been documented in Jordan. This study describes two suspected BEF outbreaks in Jordan in 2018 and 2021, focusing on clinical and laboratory findings. In 2018, 14 cattle farms in the Jordan Valley were investigated, and 315 animals were examined. Affected cattle exhibited sudden fever, reduced feed intake, and spontaneous recovery within 2–4 days. The morbidity rate was 8.6%, and no deaths were recorded. A total of 122 paired blood and serum samples were collected from clinical, non-clinical, and neighboring animals. Qualitative BEF antibody ELISA testing detected antibodies in three clinical cases, whereas all non-clinical animals were negative. In contrast, during the 2021 investigation, four farms were examined, and 90 cattle showed similar clinical signs. However, BEF antibody testing of 20 serum samples collected from the investigated cattle was negative, and no morbidity or mortality was recorded. Viral RNA was not detected by RT-PCR in both years. These findings confirm the clinical and serological occurrence of BEF in Jordan in 2018, whereas the 2021 event showed no serological or molecular evidence of infection. Continued surveillance and laboratory monitoring are essential for detecting and controlling BEF in the region.

The bluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of bluetongue, a non-contagious viral disease affecting ruminants. It is transmitted by insects of the Culicoides genus. The disease's complexity is reflected in the large number of recognized serotypes. Bluetongue can be particularly severe in sheep, causing symptoms such as fever, facial edema, cyanosis of the tongue, oral lesions, lameness, and high mortality. Cattle serve as a subclinical reservoir. Controlling BTV is a crucial challenge in livestock farming, requiring the identification of innovative vaccination strategies that induce effective immunity against the various circulating serotypes. In this context, the "vaccine paradox" of BTV emerges, revealing a discrepancy between the proven immunological efficacy of available vaccines and their inability to ensure stable epidemiological control. This paper investigates the reasons for this discrepancy and clarifies the structural limitations that prevent current vaccination strategies from achieving this.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a catastrophic phenomenon in aquatic ecosystems globally, occurring in freshwater bodies and sometimes in marine and brackish waters, due to large numbers of cyanobacteria and microalgae, including dinoflagellates. HABs are dangerous and may be fatal to humans and animals due to toxicity and anoxic conditions. They also cause paralytic shellfish poisoning and kill fish in water bodies. Major factors include eutrophication, rising temperatures, stagnant water, and increased sunlight. Promising paths for early intervention are enabled by efficient monitoring and detection techniques, such as molecular biotechnology, artificial intelligence-driven predictive models, and satellite remote sensing. The negative consequences of HABs can be mitigated through sustainable management techniques such as bioremediation, nutrient load reductions, and regulatory measures. Public awareness and community involvement also play a critical role in preventing and mitigating HAB incidents by encouraging ethical farming methods, reducing waste discharge, and bolstering conservation initiatives. In this short communication, the authors outline the major causes and mitigation strategies for HABs. In addition, modern strategies, policies, and the current status have been discussed.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance increasingly requires systems that integrate human, animal, food-chain, and environmental data. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a valuable sentinel organism for this purpose because it is ubiquitous across One Health compartments, easy to isolate and phenotypically test, clinically relevant as both a commensal and an extraintestinal pathogen, and genetically equipped to acquire and disseminate mobile genetic determinants of AMR. This narrative review revises and updates the scientific rationale for using E. coli as an indicator organism in integrated AMR surveillance, with emphasis on current publications and institutional guidance. The evidence supports E. coli as a practical cross-sector indicator, but interpretation requires caution: clonal overlap between sectors is often limited, whereas plasmids, resistance genes, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) may circulate across ecological boundaries. A robust One Health surveillance system should therefore combine standardized sampling, harmonized antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), selected long-read sequencing for plasmid reconstruction, environmental and wastewater surveillance, metagenomics, and, for selected questions, proteomic approaches that assess the expression and function of resistance mechanisms. The review proposes a pragmatic framework for surveillance design, interpretation, and action. E. coli should not be treated as a universal proxy for all AMR hazards, but as a high-value sentinel when data are generated and interpreted through explicit epidemiological objectives, comparable methods, and sector-specific metadata. Finally, this review briefly summarizes the challenges confronting AMR surveillance and recommends key actions to overcome them.

The agricultural dissemination of livestock-derived fecal microbiota into aquatic ecosystems presents a significant One Health challenge. However, polyextreme environments, such as the highly alkaline and saline Lake Van, are hypothesized to act as natural environmental filters against non-adapted, allochthonous microorganisms. This study evaluated the selective environmental filtering potential of the Lake Van ecosystem against cattle manure inputs. We compared the microbial communities of cattle manure (CM, n = 5) and Lake Van coastal sediment (LS, n = 5) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing at the strict amplicon sequence variant (ASV) level. The analysis revealed a profound compositional separation between the two compartments (PERMANOVA pseudo-F = 5.21, p = 0.011), with only 8.6% of the 45,842 detected ASVs shared across environments. A sharp alpha diversity contrast in favor of LS was accompanied by a phylum-level inversion between Bacillota (LS-dominant) and Pseudomonadota (CM-dominant). Crucially, classic fecal and zoonotic indicators (Escherichia–Shigella, Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter, Burkholderiaceae, and Streptococcus) exhibited a systematic 3- to 42-fold reduction in the sediment. Conversely, obligately anaerobic Bacillota families, including spore-forming Clostridium, persisted in the LS environment. The polyextreme physicochemical conditions of the soda lake impose a strong environmental filtering effect on manure-derived microbial diversity. While this filter substantially attenuates aerobically-tolerant fecal microbiota, the persistence of strict anaerobes indicates that the filtering effect is selective rather than absolute. The minimal shared-ASV fraction places a strict upper bound on strain-level fecal–sediment connectivity, underscoring the severe selective pressures of the extreme soda-lake environment.

Brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) are the most significant zoonotic diseases in Albania, largely because they persist endemically in livestock populations, pose occupational risks to animal handlers, and continue to cause sporadic human infections. Despite control measures such as risk-based brucellosis vaccination in small ruminants, slaughterhouse surveillance for bTB, and routine disease testing in cattle, these interventions have not yet achieved effective or sustainable eradication. Between 2021 and 2025, district-level program data for both zoonoses were collected and analyzed. A retrospective review of national surveillance datasets identified 189 seropositive brucellosis cases during the study period. The highest proportions were recorded in Vlorë (61 cases; 32.3%), followed by Elbasan (54; 28.6%), Tiranë (41; 21.7%), and Shkodër (33; 17.5%). Over the same period, the bTB surveillance program detected infections on 52 farms, affecting a total of 89 animals. The mean number of affected animals per farm declined progressively across successive years (2021-2025), from 2.64 to 2.00, 1.67, 1.36, and 1.13, respectively. Key control priorities include strengthening vaccination coverage and animal movement controls for brucellosis, enhancing risk-based testing, ensuring the timely removal of reactors, and reinforcing slaughterhouse surveillance for bTB. Routine reporting of the number of animals tested and the geographic locations of testing would enable time-lag analyses, improve prevalence estimates, and support more targeted risk-based interventions. Enhancing public and occupational awareness of transmission pathways, alongside promoting vaccination, is essential for reducing zoonotic risk.

Brucellosis exemplifies the inseparable interconnection between animal health, human health, and environmental factors, making it an ideal candidate for application of the One Health framework. This comprehensive review examines the epidemiology, pathogenesis, transmission dynamics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methodologies, treatment strategies, and prevention and control measures of human brucellosis through the lens of the One Health approach. The One Health concept recognizes that human health is inextricably linked to animal health and the health of the ecosystems in which they coexist. Brucellosis primarily affects livestock species, including cattle (Brucella abortus), sheep and goats (Brucella melitensis), swine (Brucella suis), and dogs (Brucella canis), with Brucella melitensis and Brucella abortus accounting for the majority of human infections worldwide. Transmission to humans occurs through direct contact with infected animals or their products, consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, and occupational exposure, making it a particular hazard for farmers, veterinarians, laboratory workers, and abattoir personnel. Effective control of human brucellosis requires coordinated veterinary, medical, and public health interventions. Vaccination of reservoir hosts, improved animal husbandry practices, pasteurization of dairy products, occupational safety measures, and robust surveillance systems form the pillars of a One Health-based control strategy. The review highlights significant gaps in integrated surveillance, transdisciplinary collaboration, and resource allocation in low- and middle-income endemic countries. Emerging challenges, including antimicrobial resistance, wildlife reservoirs, and climate-driven expansion of endemic zones, necessitate a holistic, ecosystem-based approach. Adopting the One Health paradigm in national and international brucellosis control programs offers the most promising pathway toward achieving sustained reduction in disease burden across species and ecosystems.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are significant zoonotic pathogens worldwide, causing diseases ranging from diarrhea to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Ruminants, mainly cattle, are considered the primary reservoirs; however, the role of horses in the epidemiology of STEC remains poorly understood in Nigeria. A total of 231 rectal swabs were collected from horses across selected equine facilities in five Nigerian states. Samples were processed following standard procedures, and isolates were confirmed using the Analytical Profile Index (API 20E) kit. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method with a panel of nine antibiotics, and the isolated Escherichia (E.) coli were classified as sensitive or resistant according to CLSI guidelines. The Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index was calculated to assess the risk of contamination. The E. coli isolates were screened for selected Shiga toxin genes (stx1, stx2 and eae) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fourteen isolates (6%) were identified as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli; of these, 78.6% (11/14) expressed at least one virulence gene: 42.9% (6/14) carried stx2, 35.7% (5/14) carried eae, and no isolate carried stx1. All confirmed STEC isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR). The isolates showed complete resistance (100%) to cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin, while all were susceptible to ofloxacin. MAR indices ranged from 0.2 to 0.8, with 77.8% of isolates exhibiting MAR indices ≥0.5. This study reports the detection of MDR STEC in horses in Nigeria, revealing high-level resistance to clinically important antibiotics and significant carriage of virulence genes. The high MAR indices indicate high-risk contamination sources. The detection of MDR STEC in this study underscores a significant health risk to horses, with potential for zoonotic transmission to humans and the environment.

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Patient safety is essential, and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) has been shown to prevent harm. In primary care and outpatient settings, rising patient volumes, new care models, and emerging infectious threats require integrated safety systems. Aster Clinics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain launched a comprehensive safety program that combined IPC, vaccination, and disease prevention strategies. The program was implemented from July 2025 to December 2025 across 80 clinics. Using a mixed-methods approach, key measures included standardized protocols, staff training, real-time audits, digital safety dashboards, vaccination outreach, and community campaigns. Quantitative data included IPC compliance, vaccination rates, and incident reports, while qualitative data assessed staff engagement, confidence, and safety culture. The program improved hand hygiene, vaccination rates, and transparency in incident reporting, fostering organizational learning. Digital tools enabled early detection and rapid response to safety issues. Staff gained confidence and participated more actively in safety discussions. Integrating IPC, vaccination, and disease management within a systems-based approach can enhance primary care safety, demonstrating how implementation science, human factors, digital tools, and community efforts strengthen resilient healthcare systems and promote a lasting safety culture.

The oral microbiota begins to establish at birth and develops over time under the influence of genetic factors, environmental exposures, diet, and individual oral health behaviors. In a healthy state, these microorganisms exist in a balanced ecosystem; however, disruption of this balance, known as oral dysbiosis, can promote oral diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis (PD). Growing scientific evidence indicates that the impact of oral microbial imbalance may extend beyond the oral cavity. With advances in molecular detection techniques, oral bacterial species have been identified in distant body sites, including heart valves, suggesting a possible association between oral dysbiosis and cardiovascular disease. Chronic periodontal inflammation and microbial imbalance may allow bacteria or their inflammatory products to enter the bloodstream, leading to bacteremia via direct invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms. These processes may contribute to systemic inflammation and potentially influence the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to review and summarize current evidence on the relationship between oral dysbiosis and cardiovascular disease, with particular focus on the mechanisms by which chronic oral inflammation and microbial imbalance may contribute to bacteremia and systemic inflammatory pathways that influence cardiovascular health.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change are increasingly recognized as interconnected global threats driven by shared ecological, infrastructural, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. This review summarizes emerging mechanistic and epidemiological evidence demonstrating how rising temperatures, hydrological extremes, ecosystem disruption, and environmental pollution accelerate the selection, persistence, and spread of antimicrobial resistance genes at the human-animal-environment interface. We emphasize climate-sensitive pathways, such as heat-driven microbial evolution, hydrological mobilization of resistance factors, aerosolized transmission, and climate-stressed food systems, which collectively reshape the distribution and impact of resistant bacterial infections. Importantly, we identify practical, co-beneficial interventions including pollution control, climate-resilient water and sanitation systems, adaptive antimicrobial stewardship, AI-powered surveillance, and integrated One Health governance. Framing AMR as a climate-sensitive health outcome shifts it from a mostly reactive, downstream clinical challenge to a predictable, preventable upstream systems vulnerability influenced by climate dynamics. Incorporating climate awareness into AMR policies and actions is therefore vital to preserving antimicrobial effectiveness, bolstering health system resilience, and safeguarding climate-sensitive populations in a rapidly warming world.

Brucellosis remains one of the most important endemic zoonoses in Kuwait, affecting both human and animal populations despite decades of control efforts. This review synthesizes published literature and official data on the epidemiology of brucellosis in Kuwait from a One Health perspective, integrating evidence from human health, veterinary surveillance, and livestock control programs. Historical data show a substantial burden of human disease during the 1980s and 1990s, characterised by frequent outbreaks and severe complications, followed by fluctuating incidence in subsequent decades. Animal brucellosis remains endemic, particularly among sheep, goats, cattle, and camels, with Brucella melitensis identified as the predominant species in both humans and livestock. Vaccination programs have reduced prevalence but have not achieved sustained elimination. Persistent transmission is driven by close human–animal contact, consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, and gaps in coordinated surveillance and control. The findings highlight the need for integrated One Health strategies, strengthened surveillance, and sustained livestock vaccination to reduce the ongoing public health and economic impact of brucellosis in Kuwait.