Latest Research on Bacterial Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in Livestock

Dear Colleagues,

Pathogenic bacteria (PB) in livestock negatively affect animal health, food security and safety, and the economy. PB in livestock thrive in a complex ecosystem; hence, their strain-level population structure can shift by antimicrobial and vaccine use, host genetics/species, microbiomes, metal pollution, and by movement and trade of wild and domestic animals. Bio-geographic localities and climate change can affect the evolution and distribution of pathogenic strains and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Bacteria are also “collectors” of free DNA, plasmids, phages, and other foreign genomic islands from the environment; thus, they acquire novel AMR, toxins, and virulence traits. COVID-19 in humans has changed our insights into viral diseases. They promote bacterial eruption, favoring antimicrobial overuse and AMR strain evolution. Overall, the drivers of AMR evolution are multifactorial. If we do not act now, AMR can kill 10 million people annually and cost the economy USD 100 trillion by 2050. Effectively tackling PB and AMR in livestock is crucial since animals consume ~80% of global antimicrobial production, are reservoirs of over 60% of human pathogens, and contribute to 30–40% of global agriculture GDP and 1.3 billion people's livelihoods. Many interventions under six broad areas (judicious drug use, surveillance, diagnosis, discoveries, collaborations, and policy/practice change) have been proposed to combat AMR but AMR is still a global issue, even rising in some localities.

This Special Issue on the latest research on AMR pathogenic bacteria in livestock will highlight the knowledge and successes in the past, discuss current progress and gaps, and present future directions to strengthen collaborations in a one-health approach. It will facilitate the exchange of information on AMR, including its ecological drivers, risk factors, AMR mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention approaches for combating the advance of AMR pathogenic bacteria.

Dr. Reta Duguma Abdi
Guest Editor

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