The emergence and diversification of a zoonotic pathogen from within the microbiota of intensively farmed pigs

There is growing concern that rapid growth in livestock production and major changes in farming practices are driving the emergence of pathogens capable of causing disease in both livestock and humans. However, most studies neglect livestock microbiota as a potential source of emerging pathogens. Here, we show how the global transport of live animals has facilitated the emergence of an important livestock and human zoonotic pathogen from a common member of the pig respiratory microbiota. Our results indicate that pathogenic lineages are likely to continue to emerge and diversify and recommend ways of controlling this.