Human pathogens in the soil ecosystem: Occurrence, dispersal, and study method

Abstract

The prevalence of pathogens in the environment has caused severe human diseases. Anthropogenic changes profoundly affect the distribution, abundance, and dispersal of human pathogens in the environment. However, until now, the effects of human activity and global climate change on the dispersal of human pathogens in soil ecosystems have not been systematically analyzed. Abundant and diverse human pathogens have been identified in soil ecosystems. Two emerging hotspots of human pathogens in soil ecosystems are the gut of invasive animals and the plastisphere. Anthropogenic activities are increasing the abundance of human pathogens in soil, and global climate changes will affect the distribution and dispersal of these pathogens. Our current understanding is that it is important to quantify and predict the effects of anthropogenic changes on human pathogens dispersal for the protection of human health in the soil ecosystem, and environmental DNA-based technologies for human pathogens surveillance has shown great promise. More research is needed to explore the global distribution of human pathogens in soil ecosystems and their health risks in the Anthropocene.