Zoonotic Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; zoonotic pathogens; pathogenomics; host–pathogen interactions; one-health

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Guest Editor
School of Biotechnology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, Kerala 690525, India
Interests: antimicrobial resistance; host-directed therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among zoonotic pathogens poses a critical challenge to public health, animal health, and environmental sustainability. Resistant bacteria that emerge in livestock, wildlife, or companion animals can readily cross species barriers, threatening both food security and human well-being. Understanding the genetic, ecological, and evolutionary dimensions of resistance transmission within the One Health framework is essential for developing effective mitigation strategies.

This Special Issue, “Zoonotic Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance,” seeks to provide an interdisciplinary platform for research illuminating the mechanisms, drivers, and public health implications of AMR in zoonotic microorganisms. We invite contributions encompassing molecular and genomic analyses of resistance, comparative pathogenomics, surveillance and epidemiology, novel antimicrobial and vaccine strategies, and microbiome-based or ecological interventions aimed at reducing AMR dissemination.

We also welcome reviews and original studies addressing policy, risk assessment, and management approaches, particularly those relevant to low- and middle-income regions where the AMR burden is disproportionately high.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to integrate knowledge across microbiology, veterinary science, genomics, and public health to foster actionable insights that inform global AMR containment policies and improve health outcomes. By gathering innovative findings and emerging perspectives, this issue aims to inspire collaborative research efforts that strengthen our collective capacity to combat antimicrobial resistance at the human–animal–environment interface.

Dr. Lekshmi K. Edison
Dr. Aravind Madhavan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • antimicrobial resistance
  • zoonotic pathogens
  • one health
  • pathogen genomics
  • host–pathogen interaction
  • foodborne diseases
  • emerging infections
  • molecular epidemiology
  • vaccine development
  • global health

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 2623 KB  
Article
Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance and Potential Zoonotic Risk in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Companion Animals, with Genomic Analysis of Virulence Determinants in a Representative Isolate
by Asanka R. DeZoysa, Madeline Kwan, Lekshmi K. Edison, Rebecca Barber, Lisa Glick, Thomas Denagamage and Subhashinie Kariyawasam
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2026, 11(4), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11040101 - 13 Apr 2026
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a leading cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in companion animals. This study characterized 42 UPEC isolates recovered from dogs and cats at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratories between 2023 and 2024, focusing [...] Read more.
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is a leading cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in companion animals. This study characterized 42 UPEC isolates recovered from dogs and cats at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratories between 2023 and 2024, focusing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence gene profiles, biofilm-forming ability, and phylogroup distribution of the isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) showed that 40.48% of the isolates were resistant to at least one of the tested antibiotics, and 9.52% exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR). Phylogroup B2 was predominant (69.05%), and 61.90% of isolates demonstrated strong biofilm formation in artificial human urine. Virulence gene analysis revealed the presence of genes mediating adhesion (fim, pap, sfa), iron acquisition (fyuA, iro), biofilm formation (csg, bcs, pga, ycg/ymg), motility (fli, mot, flh), and stress response (oxyR, soxR/S, kat). Multiple plasmids carrying AMR and virulence determinants were also identified. The co-occurrence of the traits underscores the potential for persistent and recurrent infections, which can complicate therapeutic outcomes and facilitate horizontal gene transfer (HGT). The detection of antimicrobial-resistant, highly virulent UPEC strains possessing human UPEC traits in companion animals suggests the risk of zoonotic and reverse-zoonotic transmission, particularly in households with close pet–owner interactions. These findings emphasize the importance of judicious antimicrobial use, routine molecular surveillance, and integrated One Health strategies to mitigate the veterinary and public health threats associated with UPEC infections in companion animals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance)
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