Taxonomic and functional profiling of bat guano microbiota from hiking trail-associated tunnels: a potential risk for human health?

ABSTRACT: Metagenomic studies have significantly expanded our understanding of the bacterial communities present in bat guano. Several studies have reported the presence of common human pathogenic bacteria, including enteric foodborne species, zoonotic pathogens, unusual Gram-negative bacteria, and multidrug-resistant strains. These findings have reinforced the perception of bat guano as a potential reservoir of pathogens. Despite this, research conducted in sites with frequent human contact remains limited. Caves and tunnels such as those along the Camino del Hierro in northeastern Spain represent environments with regular human exposure, making them areas of particular interest from a public health perspective. In this study, we conducted an extensive analysis of the guano microbiome during both t

SUBMITTER: Soto-Lopez JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12482572 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature