Insights into animal carriage and pathogen surveillance in Latin America: The case of STEC and APEC

Authors: GALARCEA, NICOLAS - Universidad Andres Bello (UNAB); SANCHEZ, FERNANDO - Universidad De Chile; Kudva, Indira; BIERNBAUM, ERIKA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); KNOBL, TEREZINHA - University Of São Paulo; SAIDENBERG, ANDRE - University Of São Paulo

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/24/2023
Publication Date: 6/29/2023
Citation: Galarcea, N., Sanchez, F., Kudva, I.T., Biernbaum, E.N., Knobl, T., Saidenberg, A.B. 2023. Insights into animal carriage and pathogen surveillance in Latin America: The case of STEC and APEC. Book Chapter. p.149-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29882-0_7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29882-0_7

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic diarrheagenic pathogen that can cause illness in humans and animals, and its circulating strains in the animal-human-environment interface exhibit great variability, where diverse animal species, mainly ruminants, play a fundamental role as reservoirs. Despite this impact, little is known in Latin America about the characteristics of the STEC strains circulating in animals. On the other hand, Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is an extraintestinal E. coli pathotype causative of avian colibacillosis. APEC has been traditionally considered as a secondary and opportunistic pathogen; however, some strains can act as primary disease agents and even with zoonotic potential. Considering the relevance of STEC and APEC for animal production and public health, we present here updated information on prevalence, genomic characteristics and surveillance strategies in Latin American countries to provide state-of-the-art information to improve the understanding of these pathogens under the One Health concept and thus contribute to their prevention and control.