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Circulation of Salmonella spp. between humans, animals and the environment in animal-owning households in Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Catherine N. Wilson

    (University of Liverpool
    Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme
    Wellcome Sanger Institute
    University of Cambridge)

  • Patrick Musicha

    (Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme
    Wellcome Sanger Institute
    Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)

  • Mathew A. Beale

    (Wellcome Sanger Institute)

  • Yohane Diness

    (Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme)

  • Oscar Kanjerwa

    (Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme)

  • Chifundo Salifu

    (Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme)

  • Zefaniah Katuah

    (Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme
    Malawi Adventist University)

  • Patricia Duncan

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security)

  • John Nyangu

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security)

  • Andrew Mungu

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security)

  • Muonaouza Deleza

    (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources)

  • Lawrence Banda

    (Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources)

  • Lumbani Makhaza

    (Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme)

  • Nicola Elviss

    (UK Health Security Agency)

  • Christopher P. Jewell

    (Lancaster University)

  • Gina Pinchbeck

    (University of Liverpool)

  • Nicholas A. Feasey

    (Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme
    Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)

  • Eric M. Fèvre

    (University of Liverpool
    International Livestock Research Institute)

  • Nicholas R. Thomson

    (Wellcome Sanger Institute
    The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

Abstract

Diverse salmonellae have the potential to cause disease and may be carried asymptomatically within the intestine of many vertebrate species. The relative contribution of human, animal, and environmental hosts to the transmission of Salmonella is unknown within and between households in low-income settings, especially where humans and animals may live in close contact and sanitary infrastructure is often inadequate. Between November 2018 and December 2019, we isolated Salmonella spp. from thirty households in urban and rural locations in Malawi, sampling at three time points from the stool of humans, animals, and their household environment. Using whole genome sequencing and fine-resolution bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses we found evidence of sharing of Salmonella species and strains between humans, animals and the environment, both within and between households. The intricate web of interconnected salmonellae within this ecosystem underscores the importance of adopting a multi-faceted ‘One Health’ strategy when considering control of Salmonella in low-intensity agricultural systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine N. Wilson & Patrick Musicha & Mathew A. Beale & Yohane Diness & Oscar Kanjerwa & Chifundo Salifu & Zefaniah Katuah & Patricia Duncan & John Nyangu & Andrew Mungu & Muonaouza Deleza & Lawrenc, 2025. "Circulation of Salmonella spp. between humans, animals and the environment in animal-owning households in Malawi," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-65266-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65266-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Catherine N. Wilson & Patrick Musicha & Mathew A. Beale & Yohane Diness & Oscar Kanjerwa & Chifundo Salifu & Zefaniah Katuah & Patricia Duncan & John Nyangu & Andrew Mungu & Muonaouza Deleza & Lawrenc, 2025. "Circulation of Salmonella spp. between humans, animals and the environment in animal-owning households in Malawi," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
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    1. Catherine N. Wilson & Patrick Musicha & Mathew A. Beale & Yohane Diness & Oscar Kanjerwa & Chifundo Salifu & Zefaniah Katuah & Patricia Duncan & John Nyangu & Andrew Mungu & Muonaouza Deleza & Lawrenc, 2025. "Circulation of Salmonella spp. between humans, animals and the environment in animal-owning households in Malawi," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.

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