Researchers characterize potential zoonotic pathogens present in fecal samples of urban vertebrate species.
By Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, Ph.D.Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc.Sep 4 2024 Urban wildlife in Madrid poses a growing zoonotic threat, with bats and birds harboring high levels of potentially dangerous pathogens, sparking concerns over public health risks. Study: Zoonotic potential of urban wildlife faeces, assessed through metabarcoding. Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock.com
Emerging infectious diseases with zoonotic potential are a significant public health threat. Several factors have contributed to the emergence of zoonotic epidemics, some of which include increased interactions between humans, wildlife, and livestock, globalization, agricultural intensification, climate change, and limited availability or accessibility to healthcare systems.
Among the studied urban vertebrate species, bats were identified as the most frequent hosts of potentially zoonotic pathogens, followed by storks, pigeons, and sparrows. Among the identified zoonotic species of high relevance, Campylobacter and Listeria were detected in birds, whereas Chlamydia and Vibrio cholerae were detected in bats.
Study significance The current study provides a comprehensive overview of potentially zoonotic pathogens that are currently circulating in urban vertebrate species. Urban birds and bats were identified as the main reservoirs of these pathogens, thereby highlighting a potential risk of zoonosis. Other potentially zoonotic species identified in the current study include Brucella, Campylobacter, Chlamydia, Listeria, Mycobacterium, Salmonella, Vibrio, and Yersinia. Among these species, Campylobacter has already been described in birds as a zoonotic pathogen.
Campylobacter Campylobacteriosis Chlamydia Clostridium Food Infectious Diseases Listeria Public Health Zoonosis
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