A One Health comparative genomic assessment of antimicrobial-resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in dairy farms in western Canada

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health concern that spans all three One Health domains (humans, animals, and the environment). <i>Escherichia coli</i> is present in humans, animals, and environmental sources-its ubiquity makes it an ideal organism to study AMR hotspots and transmission pathways across the One Health continuum. While surveillance of AMR in agricultural settings is increasing globally, little is known about transmission pathways in peri-urban agriculture areas where there is a high density of livestock farming in close proximity to residential communities. To identify potential AMR hotspots and transmission routes, this study investigated the occurrence and genomic relatedness of generic <i>E. coli</i> in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, a highly diverse agricultural region in western Canada. Our findings expand current knowledge by suggesting that early-stage transmission of AMR is occurring between the human, animal, and environmental sectors of the One Health triad, highlighting areas for improved resistance mitigation to prevent widespread dissemination.