The under-investigated wild side of Escherichia coli : genetic diversity, pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance in wild animals

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 2021-04, Vol.288 (1948), p.20210399-20210399, Article 20210399
• Main Authors: Lagerstrom, Katherine M, Hadly, Elizabeth A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Wild; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Drug Resistance, Bacterial - genetics; Escherichia coli - genetics; Genetic Variation; Humans; Review; Virulence
• ISSN: 0962-8452; 1471-2954
• DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0399

A striking paucity of information exists on in wild animals despite evidence that they harbour pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant in their gut microbiomes and may even serve as melting pots for novel genetic combinations potentially harmful to human health. Wild animals have been implicated as the source of pathogenic outbreaks in agricultural production, but a lack of knowledge surrounding the genetics of in wild animals complicates source tracking and thus contamination curtailment efforts. As human populations continue to expand and invade wild areas, the potential for harmful microorganisms to transfer between humans and wildlife increases. Here, we conducted a literature review of the small body of work on in wild animals. We highlight the geographic and host taxonomic coverage to date, and in each, identify significant gaps. We summarize the current understanding of in wild animals, including its genetic diversity, host and geographic distribution, and transmission pathways within and between wild animal and human populations. The knowledge gaps we identify call for greater research efforts to understand the existence of in wild animals, especially in light of the potentially strong implications for global public health.