Diverse enteric bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogen genes are shed in animal feces in Indiana.
Authors: Heintzman Anna A, Keenum Ishi, Capone Drew
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Pathogenic Shedding in Animal Faeces—Indiana Livestock Region Southern Indiana's intensive livestock production creates potential zoonotic disease transmission pathways that remain poorly characterised; this study addressed that gap by surveying pathogenic bacterial, viral and parasitic genes across ten host species in a single region. Between April and June 2024, researchers collected 128 faecal specimens from pigs, horses, cats, chickens, dogs, deer, sheep, goats, cattle and humans, then screened them using a 43-target RT-qPCR assay supplemented by microscopy for helminth ova. Three-quarters of samples (60%) harboured one or more pathogenic targets, with shiga toxin genes appearing in 10–16% of samples and concerning concentrations of class 1 integron-integrase genes (associated with antibiotic resistance) detected in 43% of faeces, particularly from poultry, pigs and horses. Species-specific patterns emerged: cattle and dogs showed high Giardia prevalence (33% and 32%), cats presented with Cryptosporidium in 55% of samples, and pigs carried enteropathogenic *E. coli* O157:H7 at 42%—substantially higher than other livestock. For equine practitioners, the detection of integron-integrase genes and various enteropathogens in horse faeces underscores the importance of biosecurity protocols, manure storage practices and hand hygiene when handling soiled bedding or managing pasture contamination, particularly on mixed-species farms where cross-contamination risk is elevated.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Horse feces carries multiple zoonotic pathogens including pathogenic E. coli and antibiotic resistance genes; proper manure handling and storage is critical to minimize public health risk
- •Giardia and Cryptosporidium are common in equine and bovine populations (15% and 14% overall); consider these parasites in cases of chronic diarrhea and implement appropriate biosecurity measures
- •Antibiotic resistance genes detected in horse feces suggest prudent use of antimicrobials in equine practice; monitor for emerging resistance patterns in common equine pathogens
Key Findings
- •60% of fecal samples tested positive for ≥1 pathogenic gene target across 10 animal species and humans
- •E. coli O157:H7 was detected in 42% of pig samples and 8.3% of sheep samples
- •Giardia prevalence was 32% in dogs and 33% in cows; Cryptosporidium reached 55% in cats and 25% in cows
- •Class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1), indicating antibiotic resistance, was detected in 43% of stools with highest prevalence in chickens, pigs, and horses