The One health landscape in the face of antimicrobial resistance

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a complex and critical issue, recognized as one of the most urgent global challenges requiring immediate attention. The use of antibiotics imposes selective pressure on both pathogens and commensal microorganisms, leading to the development of resistant strains. For years, farms, intensive breeding systems, and the increasing spread of foodborne diseases have been identified as primary contributors to this global problem. The 'One Health' concept, which encompasses human, animal (whether linked to production chains, human companionship or wildlife), and environmental health, underscores the interconnection among these domains in a rapidly changing world. Collaborative efforts between human and veterinary medicine are essential to controlling antimicrobial resistance, with the One Health approach playing a vital role in addressing this issue. Whole genome sequencing, metagenomic approaches, and molecular tools offer profound insights into the dynamics of multidrug-resistant bacteria, unveiling new strategies for effective regulation and intervention in this ongoing battle. This special issue invites the submission of manuscripts that advance our understanding of antimicrobial resistance through a harmonized One Health approach. We particularly welcome studies that describe resistance markers in zoonotic infections (broadly defined to include anthropozoonotic infections), or surveillance studies involving animal samples, the food production chain, and environmental ecosystems as well as studies showing the circulation of resistance determinants across domains.