Unraveling Streptococcus suis: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and interventions of an emerging zoonosis

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Streptococcus suis is an important zoonotic pathogen that threatens global public health and the swine industry. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, extensive genetic and antigenic diversity, and limited cross-serotype protection of current vaccines remain major challenges for effective prevention and control. This review summarizes recent advances in the global epidemiology and transmission dynamics of S. suis , integrates molecular mechanisms underlying the sequential progression of infection from initial mucosal colonization to immune evasion and subsequent systemic dissemination, and discusses emerging antibiotic alternative approaches for controlling S. suis infections. Global epidemiological evidence indicates that S. suis infections have been reported in humans and pigs across all continents except Antarctica, with substantial geographic variations in predominant serotypes and sequence types. Mechanistically, S. suis employs diverse virulence factors throughout infection, with dynamic capsular polysaccharide expression contributing to adaptation between colonizing and invasive states, while suilysin promotes epithelial barrier disruption and inflammatory activation, collectively facilitating immune evasion and systemic dissemination. Furthermore, several alternative strategies, including antibiotic adjuvants, anti-virulence agents, phage-derived therapeutics, host-directed therapies, and novel vaccines, have emerged as promising approaches to combat S. suis infections. These insights may facilitate the development of effective interventions against genetically and antigenically diverse S. suis populations while reducing antibiotic reliance and addressing antimicrobial resistance.