One-Health Concept Research Articles

Plant species influences the composition of root system microbiome and its antibiotic resistance profile in a constructed wetland receiving primary treated wastewater.

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment where the root system microbiome plays a key role in terms of nutrient and pollutant removal. Nonetheless, little is known on plant-microbe interactions and bacterial population selection in CWs, which are mostly characterized in terms of engineering aspects. Here, cultivation-independent and cultivation-based analyses were applied to study the bacterial communities associated to the root systems of Phragmites australis and Typha domingensis co-occurring in the same cell of a CW receiving primary treated wastewaters. Two endophytic bacteria collections (n = 156) were established aiming to find novel strains for microbial-assisted phytodepuration, however basing on their taxonomy the possible use of these strains was limited by their low degrading potential and/or for risks related to the One-Health concept. A sharp differentiation arose between the P. australis and T. domingensis collections, mainly represented by lactic acid bacteria (98%) and Enterobacteriaceae (69%), respectively. Hence, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to disentangle the microbiome composition in the root system fractions collected at increasing distance from the root surface. Both the fraction type and the plant species were recognized as drivers of the bacterial community structure. Moreover, differential abundance analysis revealed that, in all fractions, several bacteria families were significantly and differentially enriched in P. australis or in T. domingensis. CWs have been also reported as interesting options for the removal of emerging contaminants (e.g, antibiotic resistance genes, ARGs). In this study, ARGs were mostly present in the rhizosphere of both plant species, compared to the other analyzed fractions. Notably, qPCR data showed that ARGs (i.e., ermB, bla TEM, tetA) and intl1 gene (integrase gene of the class 1 integrons) were significantly higher in Phragmites than Typha rhizospheres, suggesting that macrophyte species growing in CWs can display a different ability to remove ARGs from wastewater. Overall, the results suggest the importance to consider the plant-microbiome interactions, besides engineering aspects, to select the most suitable species when designing phytodepuration systems.

Evolution of Salmonella spp. isolated compared to those of Campylobacter spp. in faecal samples for 12 years.

The Autonomous Community of Galicia has adopted DECREE 216/2011 on health standards for poultry production, in addition to the Spanish national programs. However, no program has yet been implemented to eradicate campylobacteriosis, which shares the same reservoir. The aim of this study was to compare the evolution of Salmonella spp. isolates with respect to those of Campylobacter spp. in faecal samples received by the Microbiology Department. A retrospective descriptive comparative study was conducted through the Laboratory Information System (SIL) of Salmonella spp. isolated against Campylobacter spp. in faeces between 2011 and 2022 at the Lucus Augusti University Hospital (HULA), Lugo, Spain. A total of 35,704 stool samples were analysed, of which 3,045 were positive. 751 Salmonella spp. were isolated. Statistical differences were observed in the annual distribution (p<0.01), with a clear turning point in 2018. Five hundred and five patients required hospital care, especially in 2014 with 72 patients (69%). On the other hand, 1,587 Campylobacter spp. were isolated. Required hospital care 1,002 patients during the study, with a peak in 2019 with 111 cases (62%). The reduction of salmonellosis cases and the maintenance of campylobacteriosis cases are directly related to the implementation of DECREE 216/2011. This, in turn, has reduced the pressure on hospitals in the HULA health area. Therefore, we believe that the ONE Health concept is being strengthened in the area studied.

Molecular Detection of Viral and Bacterial Pathogens in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Italy.

Animals, including wildlife, are part of One-Health concept since many infectious diseases can affect both humans and animals. In this study, 126 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Northern Italy in 2022-2023 were tested by molecular assays for Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1 (PPVC-1), Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2), Circovirus canine (CanineCV), Canine distemper virus (CDV), and Leptospira spp. A total of 39 of 126 (30.9%) red foxes were infected with at least one pathogen and five of these were coinfected: 20/126 (15.9%) red foxes tested positive for PPVC-1, 3/126 (2.4%) for CAdV, 20/126 (15.9%) for CanineCV, and 2/126 (1.6%) for Leptospira spp. DNA. No foxes tested positive for CDV RNA. The pathogens identified were genetically analysed. New findings were reported such as a fox with multiple feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus type 2b (CPV-2b) infection associated with quasispecies dynamics, typical genetic characteristics of the identified CanineCV, and the first detection in red foxes of Leptospira ST198 related to L. interrogans serogroup Australis. Further studies are necessary to investigate the transmission between domestic animals and wildlife and to understand the role of red foxes in the maintenance of these pathogens not only in the wild but also in urban and peri-urban environments.

Antimicrobial resistance of Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus spp. isolated from raw cow's milk from healthy, clinical and subclinical mastitis udders

Mastitis is the most common disease of dairy cattle and can be manifested in clinical and subclinical forms. The overuse of antimicrobials in the treatment and prevention of mastitis favours antimicrobial resistance and milk can be a potential route of dissemination. This study aimed to evaluate the biological quality of bulk tank milk (BTM) and the microbiological quality and signs of mastitis of freshly milked raw milk. In addition, to evaluate antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus spp. isolated from freshly milked raw milk. None of the farms were within the official Brazilian biological quality limits for BTM. Freshly milked raw milk with signs of clinical (CMM), subclinical (SCMM) and no signs (MFM) of mastitis were detected in 6.67%, 27.62% and 65.71% samples, respectively. Most samples of freshly milked raw milk showed acceptable microbiological quality, when evaluating the indicators total coliforms (78.10%), Escherichia coli (88.57%) and Staphylococcus aureus (100%). Klebsiella oxytoca and S. aureus were the most prevalent microorganisms in SCMM and MFM samples. Antimicrobial resistance and multidrug resistance (MDR) were observed in 65.12% and 13.95% of Enterobacteriaceae and 84.31% and 5.88% of Staphylococcus spp., respectively, isolated from both SCMM and MFM samples. Enterobacteriaceae resistant to third-generation cephalosporin (3GCR) (6.98%) and carbapenems (CRE) (6.98%) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (4.88%) were observed. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria can spread resistance genes to previously susceptible bacteria. This is a problem that affects animal, human and environmental health and should be evaluated within the one-health concept.

Importance of National Influenza Centers in the surveillance of highly pathogenic avian viruses. The time for One-Health is now

Since 1996, the highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype A(H5N1) has been causing almost uninterrupted outbreaks in wild and domestic birds, as well as cases in humans with a mortality rate close to 50%. However, the years of greatest circulation have been precisely the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, in which several cases have been recorded in humans in places where they had never appeared before, in addition to multiple cases in wild, domestic and peri-domestic mammals, which raise some concern about the risk that the virus may jump to humans through chains of transmission of greater or lesser extent. The current outbreak of A(H5N1) shows us that the One-Health concept should be more alive than ever to join efforts between professionals from different sectors of human, animal and environmental health to avoid or minimize these risks, so that reference laboratories such as the National Influenza Centers have the human and material resources to provide rapid and relevant information in the shortest possible time before emergencies of this type. The diagnostic and monitoring tools to be used in these cases must be available for any eventuality, and going beyond the basic data must be an indispensable premise to be able to carry out a detailed monitoring that serves to limit outbreaks, limit the spread of the disease, and help in the design of future pandemic vaccines against avian viruses.

Intestinal parasites infecting captive non-human primates in Italy.

Non-human primates (NHPs) living in captive conditions are susceptible to intestinal parasites that can contribute to mortality and morbidity, and cause zoonotic infections. Thus, parasite surveys on NHP populations under human care are relevant as part of the evaluation of NHPs welfare and in the zoonotic disease risk assessment, as well as in the exploration of parasite transmission pathways, according to the One-Health concept. This study aimed to identify intestinal parasites infecting NHPs living in two wildlife recovery centers and in a zoological garden, in Italy. Ninety-three fecal samples from Macaca tonkeana, Macaca fascicularis, Sapajus apella, Chlorocebus aethiops, Macaca fuscata, Macaca sylvanus, and Cebus capucinus were collected at Piano dell'Abatino Park (Lazio), and fecal smears and flotation were performed in order to identify parasites according to morphological keys. Additionally, one carcass of M. fuscata from the Bioparco Zoological Garden of Rome (Lazio) and one of M. fascicularis from the Center for the Recovery of Exotic and Maremma Wild Animals (Tuscany) were necropsied and intestinal adult nematodes were collected and characterized at morphological and molecular level, using the mitochondrial cox1 and rrnL markers. Protozoans (Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba bütschlii, Dientamoeba fragilis-like, Giardia sp.), chromists (Balantidium/Buxtonella sp.) and nematodes (Capillaria sp., Trichuris sp., strongyliform larvae and Oesophagostomum sp.) were found through fecal smears and flotation. The collected adult nematodes from dead NHPs were morphologically identified as whipworms (genus Trichuris). Phylogenetic analyses grouped Trichuris specimens into the Trichuris trichiura complex of species, with specimens from M. fuscata clustering into a host-specific branch, and whipworms from M. fascicularis clustering within a clade formed by Trichuris infecting several primate species, including humans. The results here collected revealed the presence of potentially zoonotic parasites circulating in captive primates in Italy, providing useful information for the formulation of management and care plans for captive NHPs, and for the elaboration of safety measures for visitors and animal keepers.

Comparative genomics of Staphylococcus aureus strains from wild birds and pig farms elucidates levels of mobilomes, antibiotic pressure and host adaptation

This study characterized the resistome, mobilome and phylogenomic relatedness of Staphylococcus aureus strains previously obtained from healthy nestling storks (HNS), pigs (HP) and pig farmers (HPF) to analyse possible transmission pathways of S. aureus with implications for the spread of antimicrobial resistance. The genomic contents of 52 S. aureus strains obtained from the nasal cavity of HNS, HP and HPF in Spain were sequenced using the Illumina NextSeq platform to characterize their resistome, virulome and mobile genetic elements. The relatedness of strains was assessed by core-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The frequencies of multidrug-resistance phenotype and transposons were significantly lower in strains from HNS than in those from HP and HPF (P < 0.005). However, the presence of human immune evasion cluster genes in S. aureus strains from HNS was significantly higher than in those from HP and HPF (P < 0.005). Interestingly, the frequencies of plasmids and phages were not significantly associated with the host (P > 0.05). The phylogenetic analysis identified a cluster of all the MSSA-CC398 strains carrying φSa3 and ermT on rep13 separately from the two MRSA-CC398 strains (carrying ermT on repUS18). Highly related MRSA-CC398 strains were detected in some pigs and related farmers (<10 SNPs). This study confirms high-level antibiotic selection in S. aureus in HP and HPF in comparison to HNS. Furthermore, our findings highlight the continuous transmission of MRSA-CC398 in the pig-to-human interface and MSSA-CC398 with human adaptation markers in HNS. Molecular surveillance of S. aureus using the One Health model is required to establish appropriate control strategies.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza: Considerations for vaccination and implications for international trade. A primary breeder’s perspective. Proceeding of The First International Avian Influenza Summit, University of Arkansas- October 16-17, 2023"

Vaccination against avian influenza requires the assessment of multiple technical, legislative, and trade aspects related to its epidemiology and the country’s veterinary infrastructure, commerce policies, and interests. According to the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH), vaccination against AI should not preclude a country from eligibility for trade as long as it can prove freedom from natural infection. Importing countries may have policies above the general guidelines offered by WOAH; however. Whether living with the disease for a long(er) time, having to adjust vaccines to better protect against newer avian influenza virus variants or clades, and/or whether there are indemnity incentives available to compensate growers for the losses related to outbreaks, considerations pertaining to the geographic spread of the disease across the country’s territory, the sector(s) of the poultry industry being affected, and whether all alternatives to combat the disease have been explored, and perhaps exhausted, should also be taken into consideration. WOAH’s guidelines for the continuation of trade include zoning that limits restrictions to a geographical area (10 km, county, or state) instead of the entire country. Compartmentalization also offers another approach to the continuation of trade for premises that demonstrate robust biosecurity and management programs backed by testing to demonstrate freedom from infection. Alternatives to avoid or reduce waste products (e.g., meat and eggs) should also be considered according to implications to the risk involved of further spread onto other avian and poultry populations. Considering the fact that the 2.3.4.4b clade has been able to infect a large number of wild bird and mammalian species and, at least for countries where the disease is not endemic in its commercial sectors, vaccinating only poultry, at least in countries with low prevalence and incidence rate would not prevent the spread of the disease amongst that large pool of susceptible animal species. For this latter aspect, perhaps vaccination strategies would be more effective if developed towards mitigating prevalence in the natural reservoirs. This implies developing vaccines capable of being deployed in mass. In the large scheme of things and within the one-health concept, this latter approach may have a larger impact on combatting high pathogenicity avian influenza.

Biosecurity: A holistic One-Health concept for enhancing the health, welfare, and productivity of commercial poultry - A point of view. Proceeding of The First International Avian Influenza Summit, University of Arkansas- October 16-17, 2023”

The poultry industry plays a pivotal role in meeting global demands for protein-rich food. However, it faces significant challenges due to emerging infectious diseases, environmental concerns, and ethical considerations surrounding animal welfare. This abstract presents a comprehensive perspective on the integration of biosecurity measures within the framework of One Health, with the aim of enhancing the overall health, welfare, and productivity of commercial poultry operations. The concept of One Health emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Applied to the poultry industry, this approach acknowledges the potential transmission of pathogens between animals, humans, and the environment, emphasizing the need for coordinated strategies. Biosecurity emerges as a central component, encompassing a multifaceted set of preventive measures designed to mitigate risks and safeguard the health of poultry populations. Key elements of an effective biosecurity program include physical barriers, hygiene protocols, vaccination strategies, and rigorous disease monitoring and surveillance. These measures are bolstered by the implementation of strict quarantine protocols for newly introduced birds, as well as restricted access to farms and controlled movements within the premises. Moreover, biosecurity extends beyond the farm gate, involving collaboration with veterinarians, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to establish best practices and response plans. Improving the welfare of commercial poultry is another critical aspect of this holistic approach. This involves providing optimal living conditions, access to clean water, balanced nutrition, and appropriate space allowances. Enrichment strategies, such as environmental enhancements and behavioral opportunities, contribute to the overall well-being of the birds, reducing stress and enhancing their natural behaviors. Furthermore, the integration of biosecurity and One Health principles positively impacts the productivity of commercial poultry operations. Reduced disease incidence leads to lower mortality rates and increased flock performance, translating to higher production efficiency. Additionally, improved welfare conditions contribute to reduced behavioral issues, resulting in better growth rates and feed conversion ratios. In conclusion, the adoption of biosecurity measures within the framework of One Health offers a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the health, welfare, and productivity of commercial poultry. This integrated approach not only mitigates the risks posed by emerging diseases but also addresses environmental and ethical concerns associated with poultry production. By embracing this holistic concept, stakeholders in the poultry industry can achieve sustainable and responsible production practices, ensuring the long-term viability of this crucial sector in global food security.

Wastewater treatment plants: The missing link in global One-Health surveillance and management of antibiotic resistance

IntroductionAs a global public health crisis, antibiotic resistance (AR) should be monitored and managed under the One-Health concept according to the World Health Organization (WHO), considering the interconnection between humans, animals, and the environment. But this approach often remains focused on human health and rarely on the environment and its compartments, especially wastewater as the main AR receptor. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) not only are not designed for reliving AR but also provide appropriate conditions for enhancing AR through different mechanisms. MethodsBy reviewing the research-based statistics on the inclusion of WWTPs in the One-Health/AR program crisis, this paper highlights the importance of paying attention to these hotspots, at first. Also, the importance and technical roadmap for the application of WWTPs in both surveillance and management of AR were provided. The current position of these facilities was also evaluated using strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. In the end, the concluding knowledge gaps and research needs for future investigations were presented. ResultsDespite the fact that wastewater matrices are the hotspot for AR dissemination, WWTPs appear under-represented in One-Health/AR literature. So, of the 414434 articles retrieved for One-Health only 1.5% (n = 6321) focused on AR and about 0.04% (n = 158) on WWTPs. The potential of WWTPs inclusion in AR surveillance has been confirmed by several studies, however, when it comes to its inclusion for management of AR, more evidence should be presented, which confirmed by SWOT results. DiscussionAs such, WWTPs simultaneously provide opportunities for AR surveillance as it is assumed that this medium can reflect the reality of the corresponding society, and for managing unexpected crises which could impact the public. Nonetheless, there are still numerous considerations to change WWTPs role from Achilles’ heel to Ajax’ shield, including strengthening the research-based knowledge and conducting both surveillance and management strategies of AR under One-Health concept (One-Health/AR) in a clear straightforward framework.

Uncovering changes in microbiome profiles across commercial and backyard poultry farming systems.

The microbiome profiles of poultry production systems significantly impact bird health, welfare, and the environment. This study investigated the influence of broiler-rearing systems on the microbiome composition of commercial and backyard chicken farms and their environment over time. Understanding these effects is vital for optimizing animal growth, enhancing welfare, and addressing human and environmental health implications. We collected and analyzed various samples from commercial and backyard farms, revealing significant differences in microbial diversity measurements between the two systems. Backyard farms exhibited higher alpha diversity measurements in soil and water samples, while commercial farms showed higher values for litter and feeder samples. The differences in microbial diversity were also reflected in the relative abundance of various microbial taxa. In backyard farms, Proteobacteria levels increased over time, while Firmicutes levels decreased. Campilobacterota, including the major poultry foodborne pathogen Campylobacter, increased over time in commercial farm environments. Furthermore, Bacteroides, associated with improved growth performance in chickens, were more abundant in backyard farms. Conversely, pathogenic Acinetobacter was significantly higher in backyard chicken fecal and feeder swab samples. The presence of Brevibacterium and Brachybacterium, associated with low-performing broiler flocks, was significantly higher in commercial farm samples. The observed differences in microbial composition and diversity suggest that farm management practices and environmental conditions significantly affect poultry health and welfare and have potential implications for human and environmental health. Understanding these relationships can inform targeted interventions to optimize poultry production, improve animal welfare, and mitigate foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance risks. IMPORTANCE The microbiome of poultry production systems has garnered significant attention due to its implications on bird health, welfare, and overall performance. The present study investigates the impact of different broiler-rearing systems, namely, commercial (conventional) and backyard (non-conventional), on the microbiome profiles of chickens and their environment over time. Understanding the influence of these systems on microbiome composition is a critical aspect of the One-Health concept, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health. Our findings demonstrate that the type of broiler production system significantly affects both the birds and their environment, with distinct microbial communities associated with each system. This study reveals the presence of specific microbial taxa that differ in abundance between commercial and backyard poultry farms, providing valuable insights into the management practices that may alter the microbiome in these settings. Furthermore, the dynamic changes in microbial composition over time observed in our study highlight the complex interplay between the poultry gut microbiome, environmental factors, and production systems. By identifying the key microbial players and their fluctuations in commercial and backyard broiler production systems, this research offers a foundation for developing targeted strategies to optimize bird health and welfare while minimizing the potential risks to human and environmental health. The results contribute to a growing body of knowledge in the field of poultry microbiome research and have the potential to guide future improvements in poultry production practices that promote a sustainable and healthy balance between the birds, their environment, and the microbial communities they host.

Overview of Antimicrobial Resistance: An Emerging Silent Pandemic

Before the outbreak of Coronavirus disease-19, one of the top 10 most risks identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) is antimicrobial resistance (AMR) that is also known as “silent pandemic.” According to Lord Jim O’Neill’s report, if no action is taken, then AMR will result in 10 million deaths annually by 2050. In the agricultural and medical sectors, the indiscriminate utilization of antimicrobial agents is getting worse. For the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative infections, new antibiotics are urgently required. Microbes, through genetic mutations, acquire resistance to combat with antimicrobial drugs and thus maintain their survival. The WHO on October 25, 2022, released the “Fungal Priority Pathogens List” which includes 19 fungi that pose the highest threat to public health. The implementation of strategies that avoid any possible exposure of pathogens to antibiotics in non-clinical environments involves cooperation between clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. To combat the emerging threat posed by AMR, a multifaceted and holistic approach known as “One health for all” is also required. The curriculum of medical schools needs to be revitalized using a one-health concept. By spreading vital public health information, these initiatives will be successful in promoting awareness among students and the general public.

Distinct climatic regions drive antibiotic resistance genes dynamics across public parks and pristine soil ecosystems

To address the global concern of antibiotic resistance, a one-health concept is considered necessary that recognizes the interdependency between humans, animals and the environment, and acknowledges that each of these factors contributes to the evolution and rapid bloom of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). We implemented a GeoChip 5.0 strategy to examine the wide-spectrum profile of ARGs in the soil of urban parks and reference forests across three distinct climatic regions: Boreal (Lathi, Finland), Temperate (Baltimore, USA), and Tropical (Singapore). ARGs encoding multidrug resistance (MRGs) were among the most abundant, accounting for 90% of all ARGs detected. MRGs include MFS, MATE, Mex, SMR and ABC, which are involved in the transportation/efflux of multiple antibiotics. Multivariate analysis revealed that the ARG profile tends to be partitioned separately in urban parks and climatic regions. In addition, we opted to examine the impact of plant functional type (recalcitrant and labile tree litter, lawn) on ARGs. There was no significant influence of vegetation type on ARGs except in the tropical region, where its impact was evident as compared with boreal and temperate regions. More interestingly, the majority of ARGs were detected to have a higher relative abundance in the tropical region as compared to the boreal and temperate regions. Regional characteristics of the tropical area likely affects ARGs and the ARG-host profile, thereby boosting soil microbial abundances. Additionally, MFS, Mex, B_lactamase_A, vgb, ABC, Van, fosb, ABC_ multi, Tet and Mate_antibiotic were considerably more abundant in old parks as compared with young parks across the three climatic regions. Nevertheless, urban parks harboured a significantly higher abundance of ARGs than forests. Our study presents evidence of ARGs in varied climatic regions and provides valuable new insights in our understanding of ARGs in human-dominated environments as well as their prevalence in pristine ecosystems.

Socio-economic determinants for the deployment of Climate-Smart One-Health innovations. A meta-analysis approach prioritizing Ghana and Benin

An ecosystem is inhabited by organisms that rely on it for their livelihoods. For an ecosystem to sustain life, its life-supporting components must be alive to be able to preserve both the ecosystem’s life-supporting components like soil, vegetation, water, etc., and the living organisms inhabiting the ecosystem like humans, birds, domestic, and wild animals, termed as the One-Health concept. This is indispensable for the sustainability of life. Several factors determine the ability of the ecosystem to provide ecosystem services and support life, more so amidst climate change. Hence, climate-smart (CS) One-Health innovations are essential to maintain the integrity of the ecosystem to be able to support life. However, factors that could effectively determine the deployment of such CS One-Health innovations are not well identified. This paper, closes the knowledge gap through a systematic review of literature for a meta-analysis of the socio-economic determinants for the successful deployment of CS One-Health innovations. Using a scoping review methodology, search engines like Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and AgriEcon were explored extensively for literature on CS One-Health innovations. Search results were then screened and only articles that met the inclusion criteria were considered in this study. Subsequently, appropriate articles were identified for data extraction. Results revealed that political will, community participation, knowledge of CS One-Health practices, the willingness of parties to engage in multi-disciplinary collaborative activities, and level of investment (income/funds) were enablers for the deployment of CS One-Health innovations. On the other hand, behavior incompatibility with innovations, policy failure to restrict the use of toxic substances in agriculture, poor community knowledge of CS One-Health innovations, and language barriers between communities and innovators, hindered such deployment. Hence, multiple factors (fostering and hindering) must be addressed in a multi-disciplinary framework to ensure the successful deployment of CS One-Health innovations.

When used in animals, a neem (Azadirachta indica)-based ectoparasiticide performs better than a synthetic one

Finding alternate ways to relieve animals from the ectoparasites is one of the most important aspects under One-Health concept. Herbal ectoparasiticides offer a promising alternate to chemical ectoparasiticides. The present study was designed to evaluate the ectoparasiticide efficacy of Nimboliâ (Neem: Azadirachta indica extract) in various animal species, keeping in view the objectives of One-Health. The ectoparasiticide efficacy of Nimboliâ was also compared with a commercial chemical ectoparasiticide Tagafon (Hydroxyethyl Phosporic Acid). Various animals infested with ticks, fleas, lice, flies, and maggots and presented at clinics were treated with Nimboliâ(n=36)and Tagafon (n=19). Mean time taken by each ectoparasiticide to knock-down various ectoparasites was recorded. The present study suggested significantly higher efficacy of Nimboliâ against ticks, fleas, lice, flies and maggots as compared with Tagafon. The mean time taken by Nimboli® to knockdown various ectoparasites of same and different kinds and their larvae was also less compared to the mean time taken by Tagafon. The present study indicated that Nimboliâ is an eco-friendly ectoparasiticide that is safe-to-use both for animals and their handlers, hence can replace chemical ectoparasiticides. The present study highlights the importance of herbal ectoparasiticides, especially those containing neem in the treatment and control of ectoparasites in animals. This information have special relevance for countries that have native neem trees such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Senegal, and Thailand. Since herbal ectoparasiticides are biodegradable, they offer an added advantage of maintaining ecological health.

Host species and microplastics differentiate the crop root endophytic antibiotic resistome.

The increasing One-Health concept calls for a more in-depth understanding of the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in plant microbiomes. While there is considerable published evidence that microplastics can promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment, whether and how microplastics impact the plant endophytic resistome are largely unknown. Here we examined the ARGs along the soil-root continuum of maize and wheat under the pressure of microplastics. Amendment with heavy metals was also included as they can apply the selective pressure for ARG spread as well. The crop species and genotypes had significant effects on the root endophytic ARG abundance and diversity. The greatest ARG abundance was observed in the maize ZD958 endophytes (0.215 copies per 16S rRNA gene), followed by the maize XY335 (0.092 copies per 16S rRNA gene). For each crop genotype, amendment with microplastics and heavy metals significantly increased the ARG abundances and changed their profiles in root endophytes. The endophytic ARG variances were closely associated with the endophytic microbiome, the rhizosphere bacterial communities and resistome. Additionally, the level of endophytic ARGs was positively relevant to the abundance of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). These findings suggested that the root endophytic resistome was primarily affected by the crop species, and microplastics might show enhancement effects on the endophytic resistome via changing the root-associated microbiome and facilitating the MGE mediation. Overall, this study, for the first time, highlights the root endophytic ARG emergence and dissemination induced by microplastics.

In Vivo Efficacy of Echinops spinosus Decoction as a Therapeutic for Cows at Risk of Clinical Endometritis.

Clinical endometritis (CE) is a multifactorial disease of dairy animals. Retained fetal membranes (RFM) and metritis are the major risk factors of CE in dairy cows. Because uterine inflammation affects the profitability of the dairy industry, antibiotics and hormonal therapies are commonly used to mitigate against the disease. However, the One-Health concept aims to reduce antibiotic use in food animals to avoid the emergence of drug resistance or residues in milk or meat. Thus, phytotherapy may represent a good alternative to antibiotics in food animals. Echinops spinosus (E. spinosus) is a natural plant known to have therapeutic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties in vitro. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of E. spinosus as a preventive strategy for CE in dairy cows with other postpartum complications. Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 36) diagnosed with RFM or metritis enrolled in the study were allocated into three groups. One group received antibiotic treatment. Another group received prostaglandin injection (PG). The experimental group received E. spinosus decoction orally. As a control group, eutocic cows (n = 36), without RFM and metritis were included in the study. The efficiency of the treatment was based on the occurrence of CE and improved reproductive outcomes. At 30 ± 2 DPP, CE was diagnosed in 25%, 58.34%, and 75% in antibiotic, PG, and E. spinosus groups, respectively (p &lt; 0.05). There were no differences between the groups at 55 ± 5 DPP (16.67%, 33.44%, and 41.67% in antibiotic, PG and E. spinosus groups, respectively, p &gt; 0.05). The E. spinosus group had the longest open days, lowest conception rate at 150 DPP, and highest number of services per conception. Oral E. spinosus extract is ineffective as a therapeutic for cows at risk of CE. These findings may pave the way for future innovative strategies employing E. spinosus to protect cattle against endometritis.

Health in poultry- immunity and microbiome with regard to a concept of one health

Abstract The overall concept of OneHealth focuses on health and infectious disease in the context of the relationship between humans, animals, and the environment. In poultry production, there are many opportunities to implement OneHealth by organizing work and introducing appropriate engineering solutions. It is recommended that future research directions include designing and testing solutions to improve air quality and the elimination of antibiotics in the poultry industry. For this to be possible, it is essential to understand the indigenous microbiota of poultry, which plays a crucial role in nutrients, but also restricts the growth of pathogenic organisms. In poultry production, the most important thing is disease control in the herd, high product quality, and product efficiency. Food safety is key for consumers, as some zoonoses are transmitted through the food chain. Moreover, antibiotic resistance of bacteria is becoming a growing threat. For this reason, it is essential to maintain the proper immune status in the herd. Virus disease control in poultry is based on vaccination programs and the maintenance of biosecurity. This chapter aims to present the current state of knowledge in the field of immunity and microbiome of poultry in the context of the OneHealth concept.

The risk of transmitting antibiotic resistance through endophytic bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance is a global human health threat distributed across humans, animals, plants, and the environment. Under the One-Health concept (humans, animals, and environment), the contamination of water bodies and soil by antibiotic-resistant bacteria cannot be dissociated from its potential transmission to humans. Edible plants can be colonized by a vast diversity of bacteria, representing an important link between the environment and humans in the One-Health triad. Based on multiple examples of bacterial groups that comprise endophytes reported in edible plants, and that have close phylogenetic proximity with human opportunistic pathogens, we argue that plants exposed to human-derived biological contamination may represent a path of transmission of antibiotic resistance to humans.

The meiofauna as neglected carriers of antibiotic resistant and pathogenic bacteria in freshwater ecosystems

The World Health Organization considers antibiotic resistance as one of the main threats to human and other animals' health. Despite the measures used to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance, the efforts made are not enough to tackle this problem. Thus, it has become important to understand how bacteria acquire and transmit antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), in particular in the environment, given the close connection between the latter and human and animal health, as defined by the One-Health concept. Aquatic ecosystems are often strongly impacted by anthropogenic activities, making them a source for ARGs and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB). Although freshwater meiofauna have been the object of active research, few studies have focused on the relationship between the spread of antibiotic resistance and these organisms. In this review, we investigated freshwater meiofauna as carriers of resistances since they play a central role in the aquatic environments and can harbor human and animal potential pathogens. We assessed if these animals could contribute to the spread of ARGs and of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Only four taxa (Rotifera, Chironomidae, Cladocera, Copepoda) were found to be the subject of studies focused on antibiotic resistance. The studies we analyzed, although with some limitations, demonstrated that ARGs and ARB can be found in these animals, and several of them showed the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria for humans and animals within their microbiome. Thus, meiofauna can be considered a source and a reservoir, even if neglected, of ARGs and ARB for the freshwater environments. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the meiofauna on the spread and persistence of antibiotic resistance in these ecosystems.