Integrated study on the occurrence and genomic features of <i>Escherichia albertii</i> in environmental water and raccoons in Japan

Understanding how zoonotic pathogens circulate in the environment is essential for preventing emerging infectious diseases. <i>E. albertii</i> is increasingly recognized as a clinically relevant, emerging foodborne pathogen with global distribution. However, its ecological reservoirs, environmental persistence, and transmission dynamics remain poorly understood. This study is the first report to demonstrate a high prevalence and repeated detectability of <i>E. albertii</i> in environmental water and to show its genetic links among strains isolated from environmental water, wild raccoons, and human clinical cases. These findings improve our understanding of the environmental ecology of <i>E. albertii</i> and suggest its potential for transmission across environmental, animal, and human interfaces. The results underscore the importance of a One Health-based surveillance strategy to effectively monitor and control this pathogen. Furthermore, this work provides a basis for future investigations into environmental sources of bacterial zoonotic agents.