Dog-Owner microbiota in Thailand

Title: Pack behavior or personal bonds? Exploring dog-owner microbiota and bacterial pathogens in Southeast Asia
Abstract: Domestic dogs may influence human microbiota and act as reservoirs or sentinels for zoonotic
bacteria, yet little is known about these dynamics in Southeast Asia. Using full-length 16S rRNA
gene sequencing, we analyzed microbiota from dog-owner pairs in rural Thailand to assess
microbial diversity, shared taxa, and zoonotic potential. Dogs exhibited higher microbial and
pathogen diversity than humans, particularly during the rainy season. While dog-owner pairs shared
more bacteria than unrelated individuals, overall overlap remained limited —likely driven by their
free-roaming lifestyles and broader environmental exposures. However, co-occurrence of zoonotic
pathogens such as Shigella spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae suggests dogs could serve as useful
indicators for specific public health risks. Our findings highlight the value of integrating dogs into
zoonotic surveillance programs, particularly in regions with free-ranging dog populations and close
human-animal contact.