We are living amidst the sixth mass extinction event caused by human-mediated habitat alterations and climate change. One unintended fallout of anthropogenic pressure and climate change is the increased frequency of emerging infectious diseases. Across the globe, massive efforts are ongoing to understand the factors contributing to infectious disease outbreaks. However, South Asia, which is particularly vulnerable to climate change, lacks sufficient data in this regard, especially the highly biodiverse region of Northeast India. This region is particularly susceptible to emerging infectious diseases and has been identified as a hotspot for both biodiversity and zoonotic diseases. In this review, we emphasize Northeast India's rich biological diversity, high anthropogenic pressures, and environmental changes, which make it an important location for surveillance and monitoring of factors that promote spillover of zoonotic infectious diseases. We provide a roadmap rooted in EcoHealth and One Health principles for studies investigating the emergence of zoonotic diseases in this resource-limited but highly biodiverse environment, which can contribute significantly toward preventing and mitigating future outbreaks.
Succinate dehydrogenase (complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) plays an essential role in cellular respiration in all living organisms. Its inhibition in humans leads to severe pathologies. It is targeted by succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) pesticides that are seeing a global rise in usage within the farming industry. Concerned about the systemic toxic effects, the use and the regulation of SDHI pesticides, the interdisciplinary Holimitox consortium, made up of sixteen French research laboratories, has been working on the subject for four years. This article is a report of the concluding meeting of the consortium, combining research programme synthesis phases and round table discussions. The Holimitox consortium emphasizes the importance of taking an interest in this family of pesticides, which are still little known yet rapidly expanding, using an integrative EcoHealth approach. This is because the challenges of public health, environmental protection, and biodiversity require a detailed understanding of food and agricultural production chains, economic issues, and the regulatory assessment procedures for these pesticides.
Medical laboratories are central to modern healthcare, yet their environmental footprint remains largely overlooked within global sustainability frameworks. As diagnostic demands rise, laboratories increasingly consume substantial amounts of energy, water, chemicals, and single-use materials, contributing significantly to biomedical waste and ecological degradation. Recent literature highlights that sustainable laboratory operations require integrated strategies, including energy efficiency, responsible chemical use, optimized resource management, and workforce education. Building on this evidence, the letter underscores that laboratory sustainability is not only a technical aspiration but a public health necessity aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning responsible consumption, climate action, and ecosystem protection. In many regions, rapid laboratory expansion outpaces sustainable infrastructure, amplifying environmental risks. Therefore, policymakers must establish clear sustainability guidelines and empower medical laboratory technologists as key agents of change. Strengthening sustainable laboratory ecosystems is essential to advancing EcoHealth principles and ensuring the long-term well-being of humans, animals, and the environment.
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Rhythm is a fundamental aspect of human behaviour, and musical rhythm provides one of its most elaborate instances. Unlike speech, this rhythmic behaviour is characterized by the production of temporal patterns structured around small-integer ratios, which emerge early in life and change systematically across development. Whether such developmental trajectories are uniquely human or reflect broader biological constraints remains an open question. Here, we adopt a comparative developmental approach to map the ontogeny of rhythmic structure in the vocalizations of a non-human primate, the singing lemur Indri indri. We recorded songs from individuals of different age classes and quantified temporal organization by measuring inter-onset intervals between successive note onsets. From these intervals, we computed rhythmic ratios between adjacent units and assessed their correspondence to small-integer values. We find that isochrony (1:1 ratios), a core feature of human rhythm, is present from the earliest stages of vocal production. Over development, indris produce an increasing diversity of rhythmic structures corresponding to simple numerical relationships between adjacent intervals. This similarity to humans contrasts with three key differences. First, in indri, binary ratios (1:2 and 2:1) emerge gradually. Second, rhythmic precision around small-integer ratios does not systematically increase with age. Third, developmental trajectories differ between males and females. Together, these findings reveal both shared and divergent developmental pathways of rhythm production in humans and non-human primates, suggesting that early-emerging temporal regularity (i.e., isochrony) may reflect conserved biological constraints, whereas later-developing aspects of rhythmic structure are shaped by species-specific developmental processes.
Wild Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) rehabilitated at a Midwestern facility, the Ohio Wildlife Center, were experiencing an increased mortality rate due to unknown respiratory illness in 2022-2023. A qPCR test was developed for B. bronchiseptica to test symptomatic animals. Though 65 individuals were tested, all tests were found to be negative for B. bronchiseptica. This negative result strongly indicates that the mortalities were caused by aspiration pneumonia or some other unknown pathogen.
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Nutrition-sensitive ill-health is a wicked problem that has been resistant to resolution. Systems thinking and systems-based practice (SBP) offer a more relational, contextual approach but there remains the need for an integrative framework that operationalises systems thinking in a way that is transformative. Eco-nutrition addresses this gap, conceptualising food, nutrition, health and wellbeing as products of interacting biological, environmental, sociocultural, economic and political systems. A narrative review was undertaken using meta-narrative and hermeneutic approaches to synthesise the historical evolution of ecological thinking and its application to nutrition. Databases searches, citation chaining and targeted searching identified seminal and contemporary literature. Sources were selected for conceptual relevance rather than exhaustive coverage. Eco-nutrition is articulated as an interconnected systems-within-systems approach grounded in biodiversity, temporal relationality and intergenerational dynamics. It consists of three domains: biological ecologies, tangible systems and meta-contextual domains (that include system anchors, connectors, shapers and interpreters). Eco-nutrition reframes nutrition as SBP and the behavioural expression of systems literacy. The framework illustrates how misaligned systems generate biological and sociocultural consequences that manifest as eco-health disorders across economic contexts. The framework enables practitioners to work inter-sectorally, with multiple actors and across scales: recognise how structures, policies and resource flows shape eco-health outcomes; anticipate unintended consequences; identify leverage points; and build transformative ecological, social and institutional capacities. Eco-nutrition provides a coherent, integrative approach for advancing SBP in nutrition. By identifying the capabilities required for future-ready practitioners, including cultural responsiveness, reflexivity, critical and systems thinking, ethical practice, leadership and communication, it positions nutrition professionals as accountable systems stewards aligned with the realities of the Anthropocene.
Emerging and re-emerging tick-borne viruses (TBVs) have caused numerous outbreaks recently, yet the factors driving their emergence and pathogenicity in humans remain poorly understood across viral taxa. A large-scale analysis integrating epidemiological and genomic data of pathogenic TBVs reveal that highly pathogenic TBVs (HPTBVs) tend to exhibit ecological generalism. Specifically, HPTBVs infect a broader range of tick species, animal hosts, and ecotypes, which likely enhance their transmission to humans. Bird migration is identified as the primary driver for geographic spread of HPTBVs through modeling and phylogeographic analyses, while livestock density and TBVs' diversity they carry determine HPTBVs local persistence. HPTBVs experience stronger positive selection in genes related to host interactions, with specific mutations associated with lineage adaptation. Notably, the positively selected D170N mutation in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus is predicted to be an enhanced binding affinity to human receptors, which correlate with increased infectivity. In this work, using TBV as a model system, we verify our hypothesis that ecological generalism is associated with increased pathogenicity and adaptability. These findings highlight the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that drive the generalization of TBV and underscore their potential implications for public health risk.
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major opportunistic pathogen responsible for a wide range of hospital- and community-acquired infections, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, meningitis, and liver abscesses. Among its emerging forms, hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) has gained global attention due to its heightened virulence and ability to cause severe infections in healthy individuals. hvKp differs from classical K. pneumoniae (cKp) in its clinical presentation, often causing metastatic infections, liver abscesses without biliary disease, and multiple-site involvement. Despite initial antibiotic susceptibility, the recent convergence of hvKp virulence traits with antimicrobial resistance genes-especially those conferring multidrug resistance (MDR) and carbapenem resistance-poses a serious therapeutic challenge. This review highlights the epidemiological and clinical distinctions between hvKp and cKp, emphasizing the limitations of current diagnostic markers like the string test. Furthermore, it explores novel therapeutic strategies beyond conventional antibiotics, focusing on promising alternatives such as bacteriophage therapy and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Several phages, including PSKP16, vB_Kpn_F13, and phage cocktails, have demonstrated potent activity against hvKp strains, including biofilm-forming and carbapenem-resistant isolates. Likewise, AMPs such as Osmin, AA139-nanoformulations, and scorpion venom-derived Cm38 show efficacy in preclinical models. These emerging approaches hold potential to combat the rising threat of hvKp, especially strains that are extensively drug-resistant. Continued research and investment are essential to translate these findings into clinical practice and ensure effective management of hypervirulent and resistant K. pneumoniae infections.
Understanding the spatial and seasonal distribution of mosquito vectors is essential for improving surveillance and control strategies for arboviral diseases. In this study, we modeled the potential distribution of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Eldorado city, Misiones province, Argentina, using MaxEnt and satellite-derived environmental predictors. Occurrence data collected between 2016 and 2018 were combined with land-cover variables, vegetation and water indices, land surface temperature, and distance-based metrics representing urbanization and environmental features. Models were developed separately for each species and season and evaluated using internal cross-validation. Our results indicate that environmentally suitable conditions for both species are concentrated in urban and suburban areas, with seasonal variation in the extent of suitable habitat. Urban-related predictors consistently contributed to model performance for both species, while vegetation-related variables were particularly relevant for Ae. albopictus. Although model evaluation metrics varied across species and seasons, the outputs consistently identified areas with favorable environmental conditions rather than predicting abundance or epidemiological risk. The models are therefore most reliable within the study period and spatial extent considered. These findings highlight the importance of urban landscape structure in shaping mosquito habitat suitability in subtropical cities. The modeling framework, based on publicly available data and reproducible methods, provides a transferable tool to support vector surveillance and spatial prioritization, while emphasizing the need for complementary entomological data to inform operational control decisions.
Tick-borne viruses are an increasing global health concern, but the tick virome in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, remains poorly underexplored. Pakistan's subtropical climate and agricultural environment provide favorable habitats for ticks, making it an endemic region for various tick-borne pathogens. This study aimed to characterize the tick-associated virome and viral diversity of ticks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, and assess the potential risks to human and livestock health. A meta-transcriptomic investigation was conducted on host seeking adult ticks collected from livestock at 19 sites across the province. A total of 23 pooled samples, consisting of 165 individual ticks of Rhipicephalus microplus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa, were analyzed. The viral characterization involved diversity assessment and phylogenetic analysis, identifying ten RNA virus species from nine families, including two previously undefined novel viruses, below the ICTV species demarcation thresholds. Notably, Mogiana tick virus has been reported to be pathogenic to humans, whereas Pakistan microplus virus and Uukuvirus lihanense are phylogenetically closely related to viruses infecting humans, suggesting a potential risk of cross-species transmission to both humans and livestock. This study provides the first comprehensive dataset of the tick virome in Pakistan, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance of tick-borne viral infections in humans and livestock.
Tsukamurella species are rare environmental aerobic actinomycetes that are increasingly recognized as opportunistic human pathogens, particularly among immunocompromised patients and those with indwelling medical devices. This review aims to summarize the clinical spectrum, diagnostic methodologies, patterns of antimicrobial resistance, and treatment outcomes associated with human Tsukamurella infections. A narrative review of published case reports, case series, and microbiological studies was conducted, emphasizing clinical manifestations, laboratory identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, and therapeutic interventions. The available evidence indicates that catheter-related bloodstream infections are the most frequently reported presentations; however, pulmonary, ocular, cutaneous, endocardial, central nervous system, peritoneal, and prosthetic joint infections have also been documented. Diagnosis remains challenging, as Tsukamurella can be misidentified by conventional methods; precise identification often necessitates advanced techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) gene sequencing. Successful management typically involves prolonged targeted antimicrobial therapy and the removal of infected devices. In conclusion, Tsukamurella is an under-recognized pathogen, and standardized diagnostic and susceptibility-testing protocols, along with larger clinical studies, are essential to enhance patient management.
The rise in antimicrobial resistance and heavy metal contamination poses major risks to human health and the environment. This study reports the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a polar extract of Geranium wallichianum D. Don ex Sweet. to evaluate antibacterial activity and Hg2+-sensing. This is the first reported use of G. wallichianum as a dual reducing and stabilizing agent, enabling a rapid sunlight-assisted synthesis completed within 15 min. Characterization confirmed successful formation of AgNPs: UV-Vis spectroscopy monitored stability, FT-IR verified functional group interactions, PXRD confirmed the crystalline phase, SEM revealed an average particle size of 26 nm, and hydrodynamic size and zeta potential were 39 nm and - 28 mV, respectively. Antibacterial activity was assessed using 30 µg/mL AgNPs, 30 µg/mL erythromycin as a positive control, 30 µg/mL plant extract, and DI water as a negative control. All tests were conducted in triplicate and analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). The biogenic AgNPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis (20 mm ZOI), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18 mm ZOI), and Escherichia coli (19 mm ZOI). The MIC and MBC values ranged from 15 to 30 µg/mL, confirming the dose-dependent antibacterial potency. Additionally, AgNPs showed excellent colorimetric response toward Hg2+, with a linear detection range of 1-100 µM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 6.68 µM. The sensor demonstrated high selectivity and practical applicability in real-water samples. Overall, the unique sunlight-driven synthesis strategy, coupled with the strong antibacterial potential and exceptional Hg2+ selectivity, underscores the novelty and sustainability of G. wallichianum-mediated AgNPs as a versatile nanoplatform for biomedical and environmental applications.
Molecular surveillance of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in environmental reservoirs is essential for understanding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission within the One Health framework. This study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes in ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from hospital wastewater in Manila and Quezon City, Philippines. Seventeen isolates carrying blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-9, and blaTEM-1 genes, confirmed by multiplex PCR, were subjected to DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis alongside global reference strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the blaCTX-M gene sequences revealed two distinct clusters: six blaCTX-M-15 variants clustered within the CTX-M-1 clade, showing close relatedness to strains from Thailand, Iran, and neighboring Southeast Asian clinical and environmental samples, while two blaCTX-M-27 clustered within the CTX-M-9 group, closely related to isolates from India, Australia, and Spain. All blaTEM-1 gene sequences aligned with globally disseminated TEM-1 references. The co-occurrence of multiple ESBL gene variants in individual effluent samples underscores active horizontal gene transfer facilitated by mobile genetic elements in wastewater environments. These findings reveal substantial genetic diversity of ESBL determinants and demonstrate the convergence of clinical and environmental AMR reservoirs through hospital effluents. Incorporating genetic surveillance of hospital wastewater into national AMR action plans can enhance detection of emerging resistance variants, inform risk assessment, and guide targeted interventions to mitigate environmental dissemination. Future work should integrate whole-genome sequencing to elucidate plasmid dynamics and resistance gene mobilization mechanisms, advancing One Health strategies to curb the AMR threat.
The role of wildlife in carrying and disseminating resistant and pathogenic bacteria has been established, yet data from wildlife in Peru are limited. This study evaluated the antibiotic resistance, presence of virulence genes, and clonality of E. coli isolated from wild birds from wetlands in Lima, Peru. Twenty-three isolates were obtained from 41 free-living birds (belonging to 15 bird species) through cloacal and feather swabs (n = 30) and fresh feces (n = 11) collected in 2021. Nineteen pulsotypes were identified by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis. High resistance rates were observed for tobramycin 60.9% (14/23) and ampicillin 52.2% (12/23). The resistance to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim was 26.1% (6/23) Lower resistance rates were observed for quinolones and cephalosporins, each with 17.4% (4/23) resistance. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 34.8% (8/23) of isolates, and 8.7% (2/23) were extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli. (from Coragyps atratus (1/2 sampled 50%) and Phalacrocorax brasilianus (1/3 sampled 33.3%)) carrying blaCTX-M-55. Phylogroup A predominated (34.8%). Virulence genes were found in 30.4% of the isolates, including stx-1 (13.1%), agn43 (17.4%), and virA (4.3%). Whole-genome sequencing of ESBL isolates (ST2172, O9:H4, phylogroup A) revealed an extensive resistome including blaCTX-M-55, blaTEM-1, chromosomal AmpC, multiple aminoglycosides, tetracycline, sulfonamide, fosfomycin, and efflux pump genes, along with quinolone-resistant mutations. The virulome included adhesins, CFA/I fimbriae, ECP, hemorrhagic pilus, type I fimbriae, and invasion-associated genes. These findings highlight the circulation of MDR and ESBL-producing E. coli in wild birds, underscoring the importance of wildlife surveillance within a One Health approach.
Infectious skin diseases in nonhuman primates are of importance due to their zoonotic transmission potential, especially in biodiversity rich areas where human-wildlife interactions are frequent. Here, we report the presence of a skin disease in unhabituated wild Guinea baboons (Papio papio) inhabiting an agroforest landscape in Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau, exclusively using non-invasive surveillance methods. We combined 107 georeferenced baboon presence points, camera trap footage obtained during 2224 camera trap days, with molecular analysis of 272 biological samples collected opportunistically. Given the presence of leprosy in western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Cantanhez and yaws in nonhuman primates in Sub-Saharan Africa, we tested the samples using specific PCR protocols for Mycobacterium leprae and Treponema pallidum as possible causative agents. We estimated the minimum ranging area of the baboons, which overlapped with 27.25% of the home range of a chimpanzee community affected by leprosy. We identified at least seven baboons with lesions on the muzzle, eyebrow, ears, tail, hindquarters, joints, hands and/or feet. Clinical signs partially aligned with descriptions of nonhuman primates affected by leprosy and yaws. Molecular analysis failed at conclusively showing the presence of either suspected pathogen. Longitudinal monitoring and additional sampling are needed to identify the causative agent, which may be relevant to conservation and public health, as baboon meat is consumed by humans in Guinea-Bissau.
This study aimed to isolate and systematically characterize the emerging Rickettsia koreansis from ticks in China, define its genomic features, and assess its clinical and epidemiological significance for human health. Rickettsiae were isolated from larval Rhipicephalus microplus ticks by cell culture and biologically characterized. Whole-genome sequencing and assembly were performed for phylogenetic analysis. Comparative genomics was used to identify functional features. Human infections were confirmed by pathogen-specific PCR and serological assays, and clinical characteristics were described. Infection prevalence and distribution of ticks were determined. A novel isolate, designated R. koreansis str. TIGMIC YN, was successfully obtained. It exhibited an average nucleotide identity of 99.93% and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 98.1% with the Korean reference strain CNH17-7, indicating that they belong to the same species. Synteny and pangenome analyses revealed that despite extensive structural conservation, TIGMIC YN displays distinctive strain-level adaptation through localized chromosomal rearrangements and unique gene clusters. Through sentinel surveillance, eight laboratory-confirmed human infections were identified, all presenting with mild febrile illness or other nonspecific symptoms. Among 554 tick samples, R. koreansis was detected in seven tick species, with an overall infection rate of 27.4%, across ten provinces or autonomous regions in China. R. koreansis's broad vector range, defined genomic features, and demonstrated human infectivity underscore the need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, develop specific diagnostic tools, and improve clinical recognition of infections caused by this pathogen.
Ecosystem health and human well-being are closely interlinked components of socio-ecological systems, playing a critical role in achieving regional sustainability. We examine the coupling relationship between ecosystem health and human well-being across 228 counties in the middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin-an area facing intense resource and environmental pressure. The main findings are as follows: (1) from 2000 to 2020, ecosystem health in the study area gradually improved, with the average index increasing by 13.61%, mainly driven by enhancements in ecosystem vitality and ecosystem services. However, significant spatial disparities remain, with a pronounced polarization between counties. (2) Over the same period, human well-being increased by 132.29%, but regional inequality also intensified, as indicated by a 31.91% increase in the coefficient of variation. (3) Granger causality tests indicate a bidirectional predictive relationship, significant at the 1% level for one direction and at the 5% level for the other. Impulse response analysis suggests that both systems exhibit self-reinforcing mechanisms, with the magnitude of self-response gradually declining over time. Although ecological improvement and social development may have potential positive mutual influences, these cross-effects were not found to be statistically significant. Spatial analysis shows significant positive spatial autocorrelation within each system, yet a significant negative spatial correlation between them, with dominant cluster types characterized by "high human well-being-low ecosystem health" (distributed in urban agglomerations) and "low human well-being-high ecosystem health" (distributed in mountainous ecological areas) spatial patterns. These findings provide empirical evidence for integrated socio-ecological governance and offer scientific support for coordinated development strategies in large river basin regions.