Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest threats to global health, particularly in developing countries where the prevalence of gastrointestinal pathogens and the circulation of multidrug-resistant strains are exacerbated by factors such as inappropriate antibiotic use, limited access to accurate diagnostics, poor hygienic conditions and insufficient healthcare infrastructure. The situation is especially critical in rural areas, where epidemiological surveillance is scarce and close interactions among humans, domestic animals, and wildlife facilitate the transfer of resistance genes and the emergence of novel pathogens.

In this context, the microbiota of understudied animals, may play a significant role as reservoirs of resistance genes and as sources of novel antimicrobial compounds, opening new avenues for research and therapeutic development. Furthermore, the identification of new antimicrobials from natural sources, including soils and animal microbiomes, is crucial in the current crisis of bacterial resistance.

This Research Topic welcomes original research, reviews, and mini reviews addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Prevalence, characterization, and dynamics of gastrointestinal pathogens and resistance profiles in rural human populations and animals in developing countries.
• Studies on the microbiota of wild and domestic animals as reservoirs of resistance and sources of new antimicrobials.
• Discovery and characterization of novel antimicrobial compounds, especially those active against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
• Interactions between human and animal microbiomes, horizontal gene transfer of resistance, and their impact on public health.
• Innovative strategies for surveillance, diagnosis, and control of AMR in resource-limited settings.

The aim is to promote an integrative (One Health) perspective that connects epidemiology, microbial ecology, and therapeutic innovation, fostering sustainable solutions tailored to the most vulnerable contexts.

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Antimicrobial Resistance and Gastrointestinal Pathogens in Rural and Understudied Environments: From Human and Animal Microbiota to Novel Therapeutic Strategies

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