Crossing the kingdom border: Human diseases caused by plant pathogens

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pathogen Research
• One Health

Background:

• Plant pathogenic microorganisms interactions with hosts are complex, occurring at various scales.
• Historically, plant pathogens causing human and animal diseases were underestimated.
• Emerging evidence highlights significant impacts of plant pathogens on animal and human health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing research on plant pathogens as causes of animal illness.
• To analyze molecular interactions between plant pathogens and hosts.
• To discuss disease prevention mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of plant pathogens and animal illness.
• Case study analysis of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato infection in human cell lines.
• Examination of molecular interactions, including type III effector-mediated phagocytosis.

Main Results:

• Plant pathogens can indeed cause critical animal and human health issues.
• Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato disrupts phagocytosis in human cells.
• Molecular mechanisms of plant pathogen interactions with non-plant hosts are increasingly recognized.

Conclusions:

• Plant pathogens pose a significant, underappreciated threat to animal and human health.
• Further research into molecular interactions is vital for understanding disease extent.
• Developing effective disease prevention strategies requires deeper knowledge of these cross-kingdom pathogen-host interactions.