The human-animal-ecosystem interface as reservoir of antimicrobial resistant microbes: the epidemiological role of wildlife and non-traditional animal species from a One Health perspective
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat that affects human, animal and ecosystem health. Antibiotic resistance hot spots are found not only in medical settings but also in environmental compartments that are subjected to anthropogenic pressure and contribute to the reservoir of ARGs collectively constituting the antibiotic resistome. Basing on a holistic and multidisciplinary "One Health" approach to face the AMR, scientific research highlighted the need to reveal the missed link between the increasing of AMR in livestock and humans and the emergence of AMR in wildlife. This PhD thesis was undertaken with the aim to give a broader consideration to this research topic since the discussion of AMR is often focused on human and livestock health outcomes. The studies reported have been performed to assess the antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacteria from wild species (wild birds, reptiles), as well as in other non-traditional species that in recent years have become popular as pets. The detection of multidrug-resistant strains of clinically relevant pathogens in wild and/or captive species of reptiles, birds and small mammals from different settings suggests that they may act as potential carriers of zoonotic agents and resistance determinants, highlighting the potential risks for public health related to the close contact and the sharing of the same environment
