Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance in Companion Animals: Current Trends and Future Directions

Dear Colleagues,

The health of our pets is more closely linked to our own than many realize. This Special Issue, “Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance in Companion Animals: Current Trends and Future Directions,” explores a growing global health challenge: the rise of “superbugs” in the animals that share our homes.

Bacterial infections are a common part of pet ownership, ranging from simple skin irritations to life-threatening respiratory issues. Historically, these have been easily treated with antibiotics. However, because humans and companion animals often live in close proximity and are treated with similar medications, bacteria have learned to adapt. This has led to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), where standard treatments no longer work effectively.

Understanding this trend is vital because resistant bacteria can move between pets and their owners. This collection of research highlights the latest efforts to track these infections, improve how we use medicines in veterinary clinics, and develop new ways to protect both our furry companions and the public. By focusing on “One Health”—the idea that human, animal, and environmental health are one and the same—this issue aims to ensure that the treatments we rely on today remain effective for generations to come.

The focus of this Special Issue is the evolving landscape of bacterial pathogens in companion animals and the biological and clinical mechanisms of resistance they employ. The scope encompasses original research, clinical trials, and comprehensive reviews addressing:

• Prevalence and transmission dynamics of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains.
• Novel diagnostic tools for rapid bacterial identification.
• The efficacy of current antibiotic stewardship programs in veterinary practice.
• The “One Health” implications of shared resistance between pets and owners.

The purpose is to consolidate diverse perspectives into a single resource that guides veterinarians and researchers toward more sustainable treatment protocols and a deeper understanding of the pet-human microbial bond.

Individual papers on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are often scattered across microbiology, pharmacology, and clinical veterinary journals. However, AMR is a multifaceted crisis that cannot be solved in a vacuum. A Special Issue is appropriate because it provides a holistic “snapshot” of the problem. By grouping these papers together, we can:

• Highlight Patterns: Compare resistance trends across different geographic regions and species (e.g., dogs vs. cats) in one place.
• Cross-Pollinate Ideas: Allow clinical veterinarians to see the laboratory-based molecular research that informs their bedside prescribing habits.
• Build a Definitive Resource: Create a “benchmark” volume that future researchers can use as a primary point of reference for the state of veterinary AMR in 2026.
• While previous work has focused heavily on AMR in livestock (food-producing animals), the role of companion animals has historically been underestimated. We are currently at a critical tipping point in the field for several reasons:
• Increased Proximity: Modern pets live more intimately with humans than ever before (sleeping in beds, sharing living spaces), increasing the risk of zoonotic transfer.
• Emerging “Superbugs”: We are seeing a documented rise in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and ESBL-producing E. coli specifically within the companion animal sector.
• Regulatory Shifts: New global guidelines for “One Health” are being implemented this year, requiring veterinary medicine to align more strictly with human medical standards for antibiotic use.

Dr. Luisa De Martino
Dr. Francesca Paola Nocera
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• companion animals
• antibiotics
• AMR
• veterinary medicine
• zoonotic transmission
• esbl-producing bacteria
• susceptibility testing
• One Health