Circulation of Salmonella spp. between humans, animals and the environment in animal-owning households in Malawi
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Diverse salmonellae have the potential to cause disease and may be carried asymptomatically within the intestine of many vertebrate species. The relative contribution of human, animal, and environmental hosts to the transmission of Salmonella is unknown within and between households in low-income settings, especially where humans and animals may live in close contact and sanitary infrastructure is often inadequate. Between November 2018 and December 2019, we isolated Salmonella spp. from thirty households in urban and rural locations in Malawi, sampling at three time points from the stool of humans, animals, and their household environment. Using whole genome sequencing and fine-resolution bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses we found evidence of sharing of Salmonella species and strains between humans, animals and the environment, both within and between households. The intricate web of interconnected salmonellae within this ecosystem underscores the importance of adopting a multi-faceted 'One Health' strategy when considering control of Salmonella in low-intensity agricultural systems.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Catherine N. Wilson, Patrick Musicha, Mathew A. Beale, Yohane Diness, Oscar Kanjerwa, Chifundo Salifu, Zefaniah Katuah, Patricia Duncan, John Nyangu, Andrew Mungu, Muonaouza Deleza, Lawrence Banda, Lumbani Makhaza, Nicola Elviss, Christopher P. Jewell, Gina Pinchbeck, Nicholas A. Feasey, Eric M. Fèvre, Nicholas R. Thomson
Institutions: University of Liverpool, University of Cambridge, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Malawi Adventist University, Malawi Government, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UK Health Security Agency, Lancaster University, University of St Andrews, International Livestock Research Institute, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Funder: Wellcome Trust
Awards: Health Priorities in Resource-Limited Settings, Wellcome Sanger Institute Quinquennial Review 2021-2026, Health Priorities in Resource-Limited Settings, Wellcome Sanger Institute Quinquennial Review 2021-2026, G718755848, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute - generic account for deposition of all core- funded research papers.
OpenAlex ID: W4416133350