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Use of a systems approach and evidence-based One Health for zoonoses research
G V Asokan1, Vanitha Asokan, Zbys Fedorowicz
1Public Health Program, College of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, PO Box-12, Kingdom of Bahrain. agv@health.gov.bh
Abstract:
The World Health Organization estimates that 25% of the 57 million annual deaths that occur globally are caused by microbes. A study reported 1415 species of infectious organisms are known to be pathogenic to humans. Zoonoses constitute 61% of all known infectious diseases, with humans serving as the primary reservoir for only 3% of them. Of the 175 infectious species considered to be emerging, 75% are zoonotic. Zoonotic diseases and their impact on human and animal health are not monitored, prevented, and treated in an integrated way, despite the fact that etiologies and treatments are similar across species. The efficacy and resistance of a drug in one species has a bearing on others, in the context of zoonoses. Further, an RCT involving many species is effective in a natural setting, is robust, and may require fewer human volunteers. One Health is based on a systems approach and a collaborative effort of multiple disciplines - working locally, nationally, and globally - to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have so far been independent and discipline oriented. Pooling of results for diagnostic test accuracies and treatment effects of drugs for zoonoses across species has to be done, since the results of preclinical trials emanate from laboratory animals. The Cochrane Collaboration is the platform of choice to initiate a new group on zoonoses to carry out systematic meta-analyses of diagnostic tests and drug efficacies without bias, thus underpinning the systems approach and One Health.
Insights
Microbial infections cause 25% of global deaths. Integrating human and animal health through a One Health approach, using systematic reviews for zoonotic diseases, is crucial for effective prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Public Health
- Veterinary Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Microbial infections cause a significant portion of global mortality, with zoonotic diseases representing a substantial and growing threat.
- Zoonoses, diseases transmissible between animals and humans, are under-monitored and lack integrated prevention and treatment strategies, despite shared etiologies and similar drug responses across species.
- The One Health framework emphasizes a collaborative, systems-based approach to optimize health for people, animals, and the environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advocate for a unified approach to studying zoonotic diseases, integrating human and animal health perspectives.
- To highlight the need for systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool data across species for diagnostic accuracy and drug efficacy in zoonoses.
- To propose the Cochrane Collaboration as a suitable platform for establishing a dedicated group focused on zoonotic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of global mortality data attributed to microbes and infectious organisms.
- Analysis of the proportion and characteristics of zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases.
- Discussion of the principles and benefits of the One Health approach and its application to zoonoses research.
- Proposal for systematic meta-analyses of diagnostic tests and drug efficacies for zoonotic diseases.
Main Results:
- Microbes account for 25% of 57 million annual global deaths.
- 1415 infectious species are pathogenic to humans; 61% of known infectious diseases are zoonotic, with 75% of emerging infectious diseases being zoonotic.
- Current systematic reviews are discipline-specific, hindering a comprehensive understanding of zoonotic diseases.
Conclusions:
- An integrated, One Health approach is essential for effective monitoring, prevention, and treatment of zoonotic diseases.
- Pooling data across species through systematic meta-analyses is critical for robust evidence generation, particularly for diagnostic tests and drug efficacies.
- Establishing a specialized zoonoses group within the Cochrane Collaboration would facilitate unbiased, high-quality systematic reviews, supporting the One Health initiative.
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