Science in One Health最新文献

In 2022 a report was published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) into the causes and implications of the pandemic. This adds to an earlier UNEP report into the pandemic. Each of these reports identifies a small number of important drivers for zoonotic emergence. While the two reports substantially agree, there are also some divergences, the discussion of which is the main purpose of this letter. Each report agrees that the farming of livestock to supply meat and other animal products is an underlying driver of potential zoonotic spillover. The chief difference between these reports, with regard to this aspect, concerns the word “protein”. The other important difference is that the later report identifies a potential role of laboratory and medical procedures contributing to zoonotic outbreaks and even to pandemics. Each of these differences are described. The letter concludes by discussing a recent WHO report that also warns of the risk of viral manipulation, and argues that this is an emerging topic relevant to One Health.

One Health recognizes the close links and interdependence among human health, animal health and environmental health. With the pandemic of COVID-19 and the risk of many emerging or reemerging infectious diseases of zoonotic nature as well as the spreading antimicrobial resistance, One Health has become one of top concerns globally, as it entails the essential global public health challenges from antimicrobial resistance over zoonoses, to climate change, food security and societal well-being. Research priorities in One Health include the study on interactions of human-animal-plants-nature ecology interface, systems thinking, integrated surveillance and response systems, and the overall One Health governance as part of the global health and sustainability governance. The now launched journal, Science in One Health, aims to be a resource platform that disseminates scientific evidence, knowledge, and tools on the One Health approaches and respective possible socio-ecological interventions. Thus, aims at providing fruitful exchanges of information and experience among researchers, and decision makers as well as public health actors.

Background

The One Health concept considers the interconnectivity, interactions and interdependence of humans, animals and the environment. Humans, animals and other organisms are constantly exposed to a wide range of natural toxins present in the environment. Thus, there is growing concern about the potential detrimental effects that natural toxins could pose to achieve One Health. Interestingly, alkaloids, steroids and bioactive peptides obtained from natural toxins could be used for the development of therapeutic agents.

Methodology

Our literature search focused on the following keywords; toxins, One Health, microbial toxins, mycotoxins, phytotoxins, phycotoxins, insect toxins and toxin effects. Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and Web of Science were the search engines used to obtain primary databases. We chose relevant full-text articles and review papers published in English language only. The research was done between July 2022 and January 2023.

Results

Natural toxins are poisonous substances comprising bioactive compounds produced by microorganisms, invertebrates, plants and animals. These compounds possess diverse structures and differ in biological function and toxicity, posing risks to human and animal health through the contamination of the environment, causing disease or death in certain cases. Findings from the articles reviewed revealed that effects of natural toxins on animals and humans gained more attention than the impact of natural toxins on the environment and lower organisms, irrespective of the significant roles that lower organisms play to maintain ecosystem balance. Also, systematic approaches for toxin control in the environment and utilization for beneficial purposes are inadequate in many regions. Remarkably, bioactive compounds present in natural toxins have potential for the development of therapeutic agents. These findings suggest that global, comprehensive and coordinated efforts are required for improved management of natural toxins through an interdisciplinary, One Health approach.

Conclusion

Adopting a One Health approach is critical to addressing the effects of natural toxins on the health of humans, animals and the environment.

Global health trends, marked by increasing epidemics and pandemics, call for enhanced human resource preparedness to prevent and respond to emerging and future health problems. Indeed, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), at least 75% of the pathogens responsible for emerging and re-emerging human infectious diseases originate from animals. These health problems involve environmental, economic and social factors. Because of their multidimensional nature, addressing these health problems requires the adoption of a One Health approach. To achieve this, training of human resources is a priority.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 12 to 22, 2021 in 6 regions of Senegal, namely, Dakar, Thiès, Diourbel, Kaolack, Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor. Questionnaires were administered online and in person to 217 professionals in human, environmental, animal health and agriculture. Data were statistically processed, and bivariate analyses enabled a better correlation between training needs for professionals according to their occupational group.

The survey sample was 64% male and 36% female. More than half of the professionals surveyed (53.5%) had less than 10 years of experience. Human health workers were the most represented (46%), followed by animal health workers (34%) and environmental workers (16%). Agriculture, fisheries, and food security were weakly represented. Few had received training in the One Health approach and entry-level One Health skills predominated. The One Health competencies in which professionals want to build capacity differ by sector. Globally, public health and epidemiology, health risk management, basic of One Health concepts, animal health and biotechnology are the priorities.

The development of training programs could then enable these expressed needs to be addressed.

Inter-disciplinary collaborations are now considered as key factors for integrated health system strengthening. Its application in the domain of One Health needs more milestones to achieve. Other than the human health sector, the antimicrobials are used in food animals and aquaculture for therapy, prophylaxis and growth promotion which significantly contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance. It is the high time to develop a sustainable collaboration between the concerned sectors of One Health for a resilient health system. The domain of One Health not only mitigates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance but also helps in realizing the surveillance and epidemiology of zoonotic diseases, and the control of public health emergencies such as COVID-19. The review identified the key One Health strategies adapted by India, the exemplary low resource settings, to address antimicrobial resistance and zoonosis.