Quorum sensing (QS), which is a key part of cell/cell communication, is widely distributed in microorganisms, especially in bacteria. Bacteria can produce and detect the presence of QS signal molecule, perceive the composition and density of microorganisms in their complex habitat, and then dynamically regulate their own gene expression to adapt to their environment. Among the many traits controlled by QS in pathogenic bacteria is the expression of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Many pathogenic bacteria rely on QS to govern the production of virulence factors and express drug-resistance, especially in zoonotic bacteria. The threat of antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacteria has called for alternative antimicrobial strategies that would mitigate the increase of classical resistance mechanism. Targeting QS has proven to be a promising alternative to conventional antibiotic for controlling infections. Here we review the QS systems in common zoonotic pathogenic bacteria and outline how QS may control the virulence and antibiotic resistance of zoonotic bacteria.

群体感应 (QS) 是细胞/细胞通讯的关键部分，广泛分布在微生物中，尤其是细菌中。细菌可以产生和检测QS信号分子的存在，感知其复杂栖息地中微生物的组成和密度，进而动态调节自身基因表达以适应环境。QS 在病原菌中控制的许多性状中包括毒力因子和抗生素抗性的表达。许多病原菌依靠 QS 来控制毒力因子的产生并表达耐药性，尤其是在人畜共患细菌中。抗生素抗性人畜共患细菌的威胁需要替代的抗微生物策略，以减轻经典抗性机制的增加。靶向 QS 已被证明是控制感染的传统抗生素的有希望的替代品。在这里，我们回顾了常见的人畜共患病病原菌中的 QS 系统，并概述了 QS 如何控制人畜共患病细菌的毒力和抗生素耐药性。