Collection Overview 

Scientific Reports has launched a Guest-Edited Collection on Zoonotic diseases transmitted by household pets. 

Close contact with pets creates a unique environment for cross-species transmission of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens. This Collection highlights key zoonotic diseases such as cat scratch disease, campylobacteriosis, leptospirosis, psittacosis, and salmonellosis, representing varied transmission routes—including bites, inhalation, urine contact, and faecal-oral spread. The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in companion animals further intensifies the need for robust surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship. With rapid urbanisation, evolving lifestyles and increased incomes, pet ownership is increasing globally, hence targeted awareness and preventive hygiene practices need to be implemented to safeguard both human and animal health.

These efforts contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being by promoting integrated strategies to prevent zoonotic disease transmission and enhance global health security.

This will be a Collection of original research papers  and will be open for submissions from all authors – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of Scientific Reports more generally. We are welcoming submissions until 24th April 2026.

Why is this Collection important?

"Zoonotic diseases transmitted by household pets represent a significant yet often underestimated public health concern. As the human–animal bond strengthens globally, more people share their homes with companion animals, increasing opportunities for disease transmission. Pets can serve as reservoirs or carriers of pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Bartonella henselae, which pose risks particularly to children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Understanding these zoonoses is crucial for designing effective prevention strategies, improving veterinary and human healthcare collaboration, and promoting the One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.

This collection offers an exciting opportunity to bridge gaps between veterinary science, human medicine, microbiology, and public health. It encourages interdisciplinary collaboration to uncover novel insights into pathogen dynamics, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and the social determinants influencing pet ownership and zoonotic risk. Bringing together cutting-edge research and case studies from diverse geographic and socio-economic contexts can inform global strategies to manage and prevent zoonotic threats originating from household pets.

The collection could have a transformative impact by consolidating current evidence and highlighting emerging zoonotic challenges associated with companion animals. It can advance our understanding of transmission mechanisms, risk factors, and control measures while promoting responsible pet ownership and integrated surveillance systems. By emphasizing the One Health framework, the collection may also guide policymakers, veterinarians, and public health professionals in developing holistic, evidence-based interventions that safeguard both human and animal health."

- Dr. Bersissa Kumsa, Guest Editor

Why submit to a collection?  

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by Guest Editors, who are experts in their fields, and In-House Editors and are supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.  

Who is involved?

Guest Editors:

• Bersissa Kumsa, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
• Gianvito Lanave, University of Bari, Italy
• Patrick Nguipdop Djomo, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK

Internal Team:

• In-House Editor: Githa George, Scientific Reports, India
• Commissioning Editor: Louisa Beckett, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
• Managing Editor: Aliya Anwar, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK

How can I submit my paper?

Visit the Collection page for more information on the Collection, and how to submit your article.