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Veterinary Sciences
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One World, One Health: Combatting the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens...
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One World, One Health: Combatting the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2026 | Viewed by 4416

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ihab Habib

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab of Emirates University, Al Ain 52571, United Arab Emirates
Interests: Campylobacter; Salmonella; one health; antimicrobial resistance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The "One World, One Health" approach recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected, particularly in the fight against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. The rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—fueled by antibiotic overuse in healthcare, agriculture, and aquaculture—poses a grave global threat. Resistant bacteria spread across species through contaminated food, water, soil, and direct contact, undermining modern medicine and increasing mortality rates. By prioritizing cross-sector collaboration, sustainable practices, and public awareness, the One Health framework offers a path to curb AMR’s spread, protect vulnerable populations, and preserve antimicrobial efficacy for future generations. This Special Issue provides an opportunity to exchange research results, expertise, and opinions on the following topics:

  • Surveillance and epidemiology of AMR in animals, humans, foods, and the environment, including integrated One Health monitoring systems.
  • Molecular characterization of multidrug-resistant pathogens at the human–animal–environment interface (e.g., WGS, resistome, and mobilome analysis).
  • Pathways and dynamics of foodborne AMR transmission through primary production, water systems, wildlife, and environmental reservoirs.
  • AMR in zoonotic pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Campylobacter, coli, Staphylococcus aureus) and implications for public health.
  • Impact of antimicrobial use in veterinary practices, animal shelters, agriculture, and aquaculture on resistance emergence and dissemination.
  • Innovative mitigation strategies to combat AMR, including alternatives to antibiotics (e.g., vaccines, bacteriophages, probiotics, antimicrobial peptides).
  • Case and best practices on setting policy, legislation, and stewardship programs (national/regional) for prudent antimicrobial use across sectors.
  • Environmental dimensions of AMR, including contamination of soil, water, and wastewater with antimicrobial residues and resistant bacteria.
  • Socioeconomic and behavioral factors influencing antimicrobial use and resistance spread.
  • Emerging technologies for rapid detection, surveillance, and control of MDR pathogens.

Both original research articles and review papers are welcome. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and advancing this exciting and impactful field together.

Dr. Ihab Habib
Guest Editor

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2100 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.

Keywords

  • one health
  • antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • multidrug-resistant pathogens
  • zoonoses
  • foodborne AMR
  • environmental reservoirs
  • surveillance and epidemiology

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 345 KB  
Article
Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Genes in Escherichia coli Isolated from Raptors in Central Italy
by Giulia Cagnoli, Fabrizio Bertelloni, Alessia Di Paolo, Renato Ceccherelli and Valentina Virginia Ebani
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040342 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 415
Abstract
Wildlife can serve as a potential reservoir and spreader of resistant and pathogenic bacteria. Raptors, occupying the ecological position of apex or mesopredators, integrate exposure across different habitats and therefore serve as bioindicators of environmental dissemination of pathogens. In this study, we isolated [...] Read more.
Wildlife can serve as a potential reservoir and spreader of resistant and pathogenic bacteria. Raptors, occupying the ecological position of apex or mesopredators, integrate exposure across different habitats and therefore serve as bioindicators of environmental dissemination of pathogens. In this study, we isolated 54 Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains from feces sampled from 64 raptors admitted to a wildlife rescue center in Central Italy. Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted, followed by molecular screening for resistance genes. Additionally, the presence of intestinal E. coli pathotypes, including STEC, EHEC, EPEC, ETEC, EAEC, EIEC, and NTEC, was evaluated through virulence gene analysis. Results indicated notable resistance to commonly used antimicrobials, with the highest percentages observed for ampicillin (40.74%), fluoroquinolones (31.48%), and tetracycline (25.93%). Molecular analysis of phenotypically resistant isolates identified the presence of several resistance genes, including blaTEM (13 isolates), blaCTX-M (4 isolates), blaCMY-2 (3 isolates), blaSHV (1 isolate), tet(A) (9 isolates), tet(B) (4 isolates), cat1 (1 isolate), and cmlA (2 isolates). Furthermore, 29.63% of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) and 7.41% as extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Regarding virulence profiles, one isolate harboring eaeA, escV, and astA genes was classified as atypical EPEC, while 27.78% isolates had only the astA gene, preventing precise pathotype assignment. These findings highlight the circulation of antimicrobial-resistant and potentially pathogenic E. coli strains within raptor populations in Central Italy, emphasizing the zoonotic potential and reaffirming the role of raptors as bioindicators within a One Health approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue One World, One Health: Combatting the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface)
24 pages, 1920 KB  
Article
Robust Goat-Derived Enterococcus Isolates with Broad-Spectrum Antipathogenic Activity as Next-Generation Probiotic Candidates
by Mohamed Osman Abdalrahem Essa, Nosiba S. Basher, Layla Ahmed Mohammed Abdelhadi, Nasir A. Ibrahim, Shahab Ur Rehman, Hosameldeen Mohamed Husien, Ahmed A. Saleh and Darong Cheng
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020120 - 27 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 527
Abstract
The rise of multidrug-resistant enteric pathogens and increased demand for antibiotic alternatives have intensified efforts to find reliable, safe, and effective probiotics. This study reports the isolation, characterization, and assessment of the probiotic potential of five Enterococcus strains isolated from the feces of [...] Read more.
The rise of multidrug-resistant enteric pathogens and increased demand for antibiotic alternatives have intensified efforts to find reliable, safe, and effective probiotics. This study reports the isolation, characterization, and assessment of the probiotic potential of five Enterococcus strains isolated from the feces of healthy goats aged 7–9 months raised under conventional management. Following an initial screening of 57 lactic acid bacteria, 5 isolates (Enterococcus faecium, E. hirae, E. faecalis, Enterococcus sp., and Streptococcus lutetiensis) were chosen based on their catalase-negative, non-motile, and non-hemolytic characteristics, in addition to their high tolerance to gastric (pH 2.0) and intestinal (pH 8.0, 0.3–1.5% bile salt) stress. In simulated gastric juice, survival rates reached 89.05% (E5) and 85.03% (E3), while in intestinal juice, survival peaked at 78.01% (E4). All strains thrived in 4% NaCl and maintained at least 8 Log10 CFU/mL after 12 h of exposure to 1.5% porcine bile salt. Cell surface hydrophobicity (0.78–93.85%) and auto-aggregation (23–91%) properties were strain-dependent, but exceeded the thresholds required for efficient gut colonization. Co-aggregation assays demonstrated over 45% binding with E. coli and S. typhimurium, suggesting a strong potential to displace pathogens. Cell-free supernatants created inhibition zones measuring 15.02 mm against E. coli and 11.04 mm against S. flexneri, while maintaining activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Antibiotic testing indicated that all strains were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and florfenicol. No β-hemolysis or mobile resistance genes were found, supporting the initial safety findings. This study reveals that Enterococcus isolates from goats display a unique combination of gastrointestinal survivability and broad-spectrum antipathogenic activity and, therefore, are promising candidates for the development of next-generation probiotic strains for use in livestock (and, potentially, humans). Further in vivo validation and genome-based safety assessments are warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue One World, One Health: Combatting the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface)
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13 pages, 1399 KB  
Article
Machine Learning Prediction of Multidrug Resistance in Swine-Derived Campylobacter spp. Using United States Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Data (2013–2023)
by Hamid Reza Sodagari, Maryam Ghasemi, Csaba Varga and Ihab Habib
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12100937 - 26 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1435
Abstract
Campylobacter spp. are leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis globally. Swine are recognized as an important reservoir for this pathogen. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) in Campylobacter is a global health concern. Traditional methods for detecting AMR and MDR, [...] Read more.
Campylobacter spp. are leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis globally. Swine are recognized as an important reservoir for this pathogen. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) in Campylobacter is a global health concern. Traditional methods for detecting AMR and MDR, such as phenotypic testing or whole-genome sequencing, are resource-intensive and time-consuming. In the present study, we developed and validated a supervised machine learning model to predict MDR status in Campylobacter isolates from swine, using publicly available phenotypic AMR data collected by NARMS from 2013 to 2023. Resistance profiles for seven antimicrobials were used as predictors, and MDR was defined as resistance to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial classes. The model was trained on 2013–2019 isolates and externally validated using isolates from 2020, 2021, and 2023. Random Forest showed the highest performance (accuracy = 99.87%, Kappa = 0.9962) among five evaluated algorithms, which achieved high balanced accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in both training and external validation. Our feature importance analysis identified erythromycin, azithromycin, and clindamycin as the most influential predictors of MDR among Campylobacter isolates from swine. Our temporally validated, interpretable model provides a robust, cost-effective tool for predicting MDR in Campylobacter spp. and supports surveillance and early detection in food animal production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue One World, One Health: Combatting the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface)
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Review

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15 pages, 276 KB  
Review
Camel-Associated Antimicrobial Resistance: An Overlooked One Health Interface
by Arwa A. Faizo and Thamir A. Alandijany
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040383 - 15 Apr 2026
Viewed by 241
Abstract
Camel-associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an underrecognized component of the One Health landscape, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and North Africa. Available evidence demonstrates the presence of clinically significant resistance mechanisms in camel populations, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, carbapenemases, colistin resistance genes, [...] Read more.
Camel-associated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an underrecognized component of the One Health landscape, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and North Africa. Available evidence demonstrates the presence of clinically significant resistance mechanisms in camel populations, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, carbapenemases, colistin resistance genes, and multidrug-resistant clones. Molecular similarities between camel and human isolates suggest potential cross-species transmission and highlight camels as possible reservoirs within interconnected human–animal–environment systems. Despite documented resistance patterns, camel production systems remain largely excluded from national AMR surveillance and stewardship frameworks. This gap reflects limited camel-specific data on antimicrobial usage and structural challenges related to pastoral mobility, cross-border trade, and emerging commercial intensification. Strengthening diagnostic capacity, implementing tailored antimicrobial stewardship strategies, and integrating camels into national AMR action plans are essential to mitigate potential public health risks. Proactive inclusion of camel systems within regional AMR governance frameworks is necessary to prevent further amplification of resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue One World, One Health: Combatting the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface)
17 pages, 606 KB  
Review
Zoonotic Tuberculosis as a One Health Challenge: Global Evidence, Transmission Dynamics, and Policy Gaps in Indonesia
by Tyagita Hartady, Faisal Amri Satrio, Syahrul Maulana, Dwi Wahyuda Wira, Endang Yuni Setyowati and Annas Salleh
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(3), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030237 - 28 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1039
Abstract
Zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB), predominantly caused by Mycobacterium bovis, remains an underrecognized public health threat in many low- and middle-income countries. Although global estimates suggest that zTB accounts for approximately 1–1.5% of all human tuberculosis cases, limited molecular diagnostic capacity and underreporting likely [...] Read more.
Zoonotic tuberculosis (zTB), predominantly caused by Mycobacterium bovis, remains an underrecognized public health threat in many low- and middle-income countries. Although global estimates suggest that zTB accounts for approximately 1–1.5% of all human tuberculosis cases, limited molecular diagnostic capacity and underreporting likely obscure its true burden. In Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, increasing detection of bovine tuberculosis in dairy and beef production systems—combined with high rates of raw milk consumption, informal slaughtering practices, and weak intersectoral surveillance—may amplify the risk of human exposure. Co-infections in livestock, including mastitis and respiratory pathogens, further complicate clinical detection and may enhance bacterial shedding. This review synthesises global and national epidemiological patterns of zTB, describes major transmission pathways at the human–animal interface, and examines interactions between M. bovis infection and other livestock diseases. Critical gaps in diagnostics, surveillance integration, and food-safety regulation are identified. Strengthening One Health approaches through improved laboratory capacity, coordinated public–animal health systems, and enhanced risk mitigation along dairy and beef value chains is essential to reduce the burden of zTB in Indonesia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue One World, One Health: Combatting the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface)
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