Rapid spread of critical priority carbapenemase-producing pathogens in companion animals: a One Health challenge for a post-pandemic world

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has increased relationships and interactions between human and companion animals, supported by widespread social distancing and isolation measures. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an exponential growth in antibiotic and biocide use worldwide, possibly inducing further pressure, contributing to the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including WHO critical priority pathogens. While data from global surveillance studies reveal a linear trend of increasing carbapenem resistance among Gram-negative pathogens from companion animals, the acquisition of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales through direct contact with colonized hosts and contaminated veterinary hospital environments has been documented. This article highlights the rapid spread of WHO critical priority carbapenemase-producing pathogens in companion animals, which is a One Health challenge for a post-pandemic world.