Grants
OneH Congress 2026
Abstract
Microbes circulate continuously between humans, animals, and the environment, linking the health of all sectors through complex transmission pathways. Not only bacteria, but also parasites, viruses, and fungi are capable of developing resistance to the molecules designed to combat them. Surveillance systems spanning all three One Health sectors are thus essential to address this cross-sectoral challenge (1,2). Drawing on previous work on antibiotics (3), a map of French surveillance systems for the use of and resistance to non-antibiotic antimicrobials has been produced.
Methods:
This mapping included long-term surveillance programs and short-term studies focused on antimicrobial resistance, consumption, and residues in the human, animal, and environmental sectors, all showing activity within the past five years. In the rest of this text, these are referred to as systems, regardless of their structure. The antimicrobials included were antifungals, internal antiparasitics and antivirals. An initial inventory of surveillance systems was established through a thorough review of grey and scientific literature, subsequently refined and validated via a survey of system coordinators using snow balling. Data collection was based on a questionnaire adapted from the one used in the article by Collineau et al. (3), distributed electronically via the EUSurvey platform, in French. The information collected concerned regulatory status, funding, collaborations, types of data, their accessibility, geographical and population coverage, sampling strategy, and reported indicators. The data were collected between December 2024 and August 2025.
Results and discussion:
A total of 24 responses, each representing a distinct eligible system, were completed by the respective system coordinators. In addition, the authors completed the questionnaire for eleven systems for which information was publicly available. A total of 34 systems were identified, among which 6 focused on multiple categories of antimicrobials. 17 systems were dealing with antifungals, 18 with internal antiparasitics and five with antivirals. The systems on antivirals mainly concerned the human sector (4/5), while those on antiparasitics mainly concerned the animal sector (14/18). The parasites investigated differed between sectors—protozoa in humans versus helminths in animals—thereby limiting direct cross-sectoral relevance.
Conversely, antifungal surveillance currently represents the highest potential for OH surveillance, as it encompasses the three sectors and addresses pathogens and antifungal agents that largely overlap across sectors. It is also the only antimicrobial class for which cross-sectoral surveillance systems currently exist—three have been identified. These systems could form the basis for broader One Health coordination.
1. Fisher MC, Burnett F, Chandler C, Gow NAR, Gurr S, Hart A, et al. A one health roadmap towards understanding and mitigating emerging Fungal Antimicrobial Resistance: fAMR. npj Antimicrob Resist. 2024 Nov 7;2(1):36.
2. Oliveira M, Antunes W, Mota S, Madureira-Carvalho Á, Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Dias da Silva D. An Overview of the Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Resistance. Microorganisms. 2024 Sept 21;12(9):1920.
3. Collineau L, Bourely C, Rousset L, Berger-Carbonne A, Ploy MC, Pulcini C, et al. Towards One Health surveillance of antibiotic resistance: characterisation and mapping of existing programmes in humans, animals, food and the environment in France, 2021. Eurosurveillance. 2023 Jun 1;28(22).
Iberian Veterinary Pathology Meeting 2026
Abstract
Fish mycobacteriosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in aquaculture, leading to significant economic losses worldwide and raising concerns within the One Health framework. The disease is caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), including Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii, an emerging pathogen in European aquaculture that is phylogenetically related to zoonotic species such as M. marinum and M. ulcerans, highlighting potential risks for human health, particularly among aquaculture workers and fish handlers. Control remains challenging due to the absence of effective treatments or vaccines.
This study aimed to characterize granuloma development and the associated innate immune response in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a key species for European food production. Eight naturally infected fish were examined through histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Granulomas were classified into four stages based on necrosis, inflammatory infiltrate, and fibrosis. Early (Type I) granulomas consisted of loosely organized macrophages and epithelioid cells. Intermediate (Type II) lesions showed central necrosis surrounded by epithelioid cells. Advanced (Type III) granulomas displayed necrosis, a foamy cell interface, and a thin fibrotic capsule, whereas late (Type IV) granulomas were characterized by extensive necrosis and a thick fibrotic capsule. Bacillary load increased with granuloma progression, localizing mainly in necrotic areas and macrophages. The innate immune response, assessed through inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, was restricted to macrophages and lymphocytes and absent in epithelioid cells, suggesting a role in modulating granuloma organization and disease progression.
These findings provide novel insights into host–pathogen interactions and granuloma dynamics in M. pseudoshottsii infection. This knowledge contributes to improved surveillance, diagnosis, and control strategies in aquaculture. Ultimately, this research supports sustainable fish production, reduces potential zoonotic risk, and reinforces the interconnected health of animals, humans, and aquatic ecosystems within the One Health framework.
EOHA ASM 2026
Abstract
Background
Fish are effective bioindicators of aquatic ecosystem health status, reflecting anthropogenic pressure, pathogen exposure, and consumer risk.
Objectives
To assess potential risks for human and aquatic-dependent wildlife in the heavily anthropized Lake Varese (Northern Italy), five commercially and ecologically relevant species were investigated: pike (Esox lucius italicus), pike-perch (Sander lucioperca), European perch (Perca fluviatilis), tench (Tinca tinca), and wels catfish (Silurus glanis).
Methods
A total of 59 specimens sampled during 2024 underwent morphological and anatomopathological examinations, bacteriological cultures, parasitological investigations involving transillumination and molecular identification (ITS region), and virological screening for major fish pathogens using EPC and BF2 cell lines. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb) were quantified in skeletal muscle using LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS QQQ, respectively.
Results
Among the detected biological agents, zoonotic pathogens were identified. Bacterial growth was detected in 49.2% of specimens; 93.1% of isolates were Aeromonas spp. (A. sobria, A. caviae, A. hydrophila) and 6.9% Pseudomonas spp.. Mycobacterium hiberniae, a non-tuberculous mycobacterium, was isolated from wels catfish. Eustrongylides excisus was detected in 16.9% of fish, involving all species except tench, representing the first report in Lake Varese. No viral pathogens were detected. Heavy metals were within EU regulatory limits. EU-regulated PFASs were generally below legal limits, except for PFOS in three larger pike specimens, which showed slightly elevated but non-alarming concentrations. Non-EU-regulated PFASs were detected at generally low levels, although higher cumulative concentrations were observed in pike-perch, showing values up to one order of magnitude higher than those of other species.
Conclusions
Species-specific bioaccumulation trends, evidence of PFAS circulation in the environment, and the detection of zoonotic bacterial and parasitic agents support the need for continuous, site-specific surveillance in freshwater ecosystems. Fish confirm their role as effective bioindicators for integrated environmental and human health risk assessment in heavily anthropized environments.
EOHA ASM 2026
Abstract
Background
OH4Surveillance (One Health for Surveillance) is a 3-year EU4Health-funded initiative aimed at strengthening zoonotic disease surveillance under a One Health approach. Since 2024, Belgium has participated in the 11-country consortium, coordinated by Denmark. Objectives: To enhance surveillance, early warning, and coordinated responses to emerging zoonotic threats across Europe.
Methods
In Belgium, the project targets three zoonotic pathogens: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), West Nile Virus (WNV), and Q fever. Existing HPAI surveillance is expanded with serosurveillance in wild birds, rodents, and foxes, combined with active and environmental virosurveillance. WNV surveillance combines active and passive monitoring of wild birds. Q fever surveillance includes air and dust sampling and rodent investigations in nondairy farms.
Results
During the first two years, efforts focused on capacity building, protocol development, and implementation of surveillance. For HPAI, one virological infection was detected in 297 healthy wild birds. Serology indicated prior exposure in 1/4 actively sampled and 11/38 passively sampled birds. All 246 passive rodent samples tested viro-negative. In foxes, 33/164 were seropositive and 1/250 viro-positive. Environmental testing was positive in 3/226 fecal and 1/17 dust samples, while feathers, air and water were negative. In year one, all wild birds tested PCR-negative for WNV; however, Usutu virus was detected in 2/452 actively sampled and 44/201 passively sampled birds. In year two, the first autochthonous WNV cases ever reported in Belgium were detected (7/644), and 7/644 birds also tested positive for Usutu virus. For Q fever, 15/138 air and dust samples from 30 locations tested positive, identifying previously undetected positive farms. Rodent testing confirmed pathogen circulation, with 73/192 spleen samples and 104/319 serological samples testing positive.
Conclusions
The project strengthened zoonotic surveillance in Belgium and improved EU preparedness, demonstrating the value of a coordinated One Health approach for early detection and risk assessment of emerging threats.
11th Asian Congress on Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a major public health burden worldwide despite available anthelmintic drugs usually deployed in mass deworming campaigns. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate STH as a public health problem by 2030; however, the potential emergence of resistance to anthelmintic drugs threatens to undermine progress. While resistance is well documented in veterinary helminths, its population-level implications for human STH control remain poorly understood.
To address this gap, we are developing a stochastic agent-based model (ABM) to quantify the epidemiological and programmatic impact of anthelmintic resistance under realistic field conditions. The model captures individual-level heterogeneity in exposure, parasite burden, treatment uptake, and community structure, while explicitly representing stochastic processes governing transmission and the establishment of resistant parasite strains.
The model will be calibrated by field-collected data on community preferences, symptom burden, and health-related quality of life in the countries of Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines). Integrating these behavioural and community acceptability dimensions into transmission modelling will allow evaluation not only of epidemiological effectiveness but also of the feasibility and acceptability of alternative intervention strategies. Scenarios will explore varying degrees of drug efficacy decline, adaptive treatment strategies and complementary control approaches, estimating their probability of achieving EPHP targets under resistance emergence. The model can be expanded to other settings where these parasites co-exist in humans and animals, such as certain countries in Eastern Europe.
Ultimately, this modelling platform will function as a decision-support tool for policymakers, enabling proactive and evidence-based adaptation of STH control programmes within a One Health framework.
OneH Congress 2026
Abstract
Background
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains a major threat at the human–animal interface, especially considering the unprecedented scale of outbreaks in wild birds reported in autumn 2025. Effective management requires strong coordination between veterinary and public health authorities at different administrative levels, as promoted by EFSA and ECDC guidance. Within the framework of the United4Surveillance initiative (2023–2025; htps://united4surveillance.eu/), co-funded by the EU under the EU4Health Programme (Project ID 101102070), Austria identified strengthening communication between veterinary and public health authorities as a key priority.
Methods
To enhance intersectoral collaboration and knowledge exchange, two complementary communication tools were established. First, a Horizon Scanning Platform for Zoonotic Influenza was implemented to support regular, structured exchange between veterinary and medical experts at the agency level. Sector-specific information is synthesised into bi-weekly reports during peak HPAI periods or monthly summaries of the global epidemiological situation of zoonotic influenza in animals and humans. These reports are disseminated to relevant stakeholders at ministry and agency levels to support coordinated awareness and preparedness.
Second, the One Health Working Group for the Surveillance of Zoonotic Influenza (OHFLÜ) was established as an intersectoral operational framework. The group includes selected representatives from the human and animal health sectors across all relevant levels, including ministries, national agencies, reference laboratories, and regional authorities. The group brings together complementary expertise in epidemiology, diagnostics, surveillance, and policymaking. A core activity has been the development of step-by-step information cascades describing communication pathways, roles and responsibilities between sectors during an outbreak of zoonotic avian influenza viruses. Initial work focused on two scenarios involving first detection of HPAI either in poultry or in humans, using EFSA and ECDC guidelines as a basis.
Results and discussion
The implementation of these structured communication mechanisms facilitates regular and systematic collaboration between Austrian veterinary and public health authorities at different levels. The recent integration of the OHFLÜ Working Group into the Austrian National Commitee for Zoonoses will enable direct and timely communication with decision-makers. Importantly, the group has been mandated to develop an operational manual to guide joint coordination during HPAI outbreaks. This living manual will be tested and refined through simulation exercises. This experience demonstrates the added value of EU-funded One Health initiatives in strengthening national preparedness and provides transferable lessons for managing emerging zoonotic threats.
EOHA ASM 2026
Abstract
Background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating One Health threat driven by antimicrobial use and environmental dissemination of resistance determinants. Coastal zones are key sentinels because they integrate human and agricultural wastewater inputs with exposure via recreation and seafood consumption.
Objectives
The aim was to profile the resistome —including clinically relevant ARGs (antibiotic resistance genes) and host–ARG associations—along a wastewater-to-beach gradient on Ireland’s west coast.
Methods
We generated 60 shotgun metagenomes (triplicates) from 1-L surface-water samples collected at four sites on six dates in spring and winter 2021: seawater at a raw effluent discharge point (B), seawater from two beaches flanking the discharge (A, C), and an adjacent freshwater stream (F). Quality-filtered reads were taxonomically classified (Kraken2/Bracken) and annotated for ARGs (AMR++) using stringent thresholds. Reads were also screened against a curated panel of clinically relevant ARGs (CARPDM) to distinguish priority signals from background resistomes.
Results
Host–ARG relationships followed a clear spatial gradient (B > F > A/C). A shared core was dominated by Alpha-, Gamma- and Epsilonproteobacteria linked to MLS (Macrolides-Lincosamides-Streptogramins) resistance. Beaches (A, C) also showed Actinomycetes and Alpha-/Betaproteobacteria associated with aminoglycosides, elfamycins, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones and rifampin. Location B was dominated by Gammaproteobacteria linked to β-lactam, multi-metal and drug/biocide resistance, whereas location F was characterised by drug/biocide resistance across Proteobacteria and prominent Betaproteobacteria–fluoroquinolone/rifampin associations. Clinically relevant ARGs were detected only at locations B and F, dominated by tetracycline and MLS resistance determinants (tet(O), tet(T), tet(X3–X4), mphE/msrE, erm), with additional OXA-type β-lactamase, sul1/sul2, dfr and qac signals mapping mainly to Enterobacterales and other pathogenic genera, including ESKAPE members.
Conclusions
AMR was pervasive across the system, but clinically relevant ARGs were restricted to effluent and freshwater sites and were not detected at beaches, supporting targeted mitigation and routine surveillance at discharge points and upstream sources.
EOHA ASM 2026
Abstract
Background
Vibrio bacteria are ubiquitous in marine and estuarine environments and it is expected that climate change will create increasingly good conditions for them to flourish in. They can carry, acquire and transfer different antimicrobial resistances (AMR). We identified a fosG/fosC2-related fosfomycin resistance glutathione transferase-gene in 43 Vibrio spp. strains from Europe and Asia. Fosfomycin-resistant Vibrio spp. have not yet gotten much attention, but may be of increasing importance in the future.
Objectives
To determine genetic variation in fos-gene derivates with respect to its impact on the fosfomycin phenotype.
Methods
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed with the restriction enzymes S1 and Sfi1. We tested for phenotypic antimicrobial resistances to 24 substances with agar disc diffusion according to CLSI standards. Long-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). The fosG/fosC2-related fosfomycin resistance glutathione transferase-gene was confirmed by PCR.
Results
Interestingly, the phenotypic resistance testing revealed a high fosfomycin tolerance in all tested V. cincinnatiensis, while all other species showed a low tolerance. No link between plasmids and the location of the fosfomycin resistance gene was found. In total, thirteen variants of the fos-gene were identified. Notably, different gene variants were found to cause either a resistance or susceptible phenotype while exhibiting the same amino acid sequence. This means that besides the fos-gene other factors also contribute to the phenotypic resistance.
Conclusions
Vibrio spp. strains resistant to fosfomycin have the possibility to become a detriment to aquacultures worldwide and can thus affect the food chain, local ecosystems and consumer health. Especially with the climate change of water bodies worldwide. Further investigation is needed to specify why the same amino acid sequence can result in phenotypic resistance for some strains while not for others.
Poster
