Feline zoonosis
Feline zoonosis | |
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Infectious disease, veterinary medicine |
A feline zoonosis is a
People can acquire cat-associated infections through bites, scratches or other direct contact of the skin or mucous membranes with the cat. This includes 'kissing' or letting the animal lick the mouth or nose. Mucous membranes are easily infected when the pathogen is in the mouth of the cat. Pathogens can also infect people when there is contact with animal saliva, urine and other body fluids or secretions. When fecal material is unintentionally ingested, infection can occur. A feline zoonosis can be acquired by a person by inhalation of aerosols or droplets coughed up by the cat.[2][3]
In the United States, thirty-two percent of homes have at least one cat.
Cats as vectors
Some disease-carrying arthropods use cats as a
Bites
Statistics generated by the state of Ohio document that cat bites make up about 20 percent of all animal bites each year. Bites from cats can not only transmit serious diseases such as rabies, but bites can develop bacterial infections. The bite of a cat appears small but it can be deep. As many as 80 percent of cat bites become infected.[5][6]
Viral
In 2010, over 400 cases of
The avian flu virus
Bacterial
Pasteurella multocida
The bacterium Pasteurella multocida and its genus can pose a risk of severe diseases in high-risk groups such as the elderly, transplant recipients, cancer patients and immunocompromised individuals. Transmission of the infection to the human from the cat has been attributed to kissing the cat, providing care that exposes the person to the body fluids of the cat and sleeping with the cat.[1][3]
Capnocytophaga canimorsus
The bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsus can pose a risk of severe diseases in high-risk groups such as the elderly, transplant recipients, cancer patients and immunocompromised individuals. Transmission of the infection to the human from the cat has been attributed to kissing the cat, providing care that exposes the person to the body fluids of the cat and sleeping with the cat.[1][10][3] Kittens are more likely to transmit the bacterium than adult cats.[10] Exposure to cats with this infection has been associated with meningitis.[11] Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis has also been associated with infection in cat owners.[12]
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MRSA is a common type of bacteria that is normally found on the skin of people and cats.[1] Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the same bacterium that has become resistant to some antibiotics. Cats and other animals often can carry MRSA without being sick, but MRSA can cause a variety of infections, including of the skin, respiratory tract, and urinary tract of people. MRSA can be transmitted back and forth between people and animals through direct contact. In people, MRSA most often causes skin infections that can range from mild to severe. If left untreated, MRSA can spread to the bloodstream or lungs and cause life-threatening infections.[13][2][3]
Plague
Cats are known to transmit plague. Plague can take three forms: bubonic plague, primary septicemic plague, and primary pneumonic plague.[12][14]
Chagas disease
Transmission of Chagas disease has been documented and is associated with sleeping with cats.[12]
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a newly emerging pathogen in Texas.[1]
Staphylococcus intermedius
The Staphylococcus intermedius bacteria, a common commensal on cats, is associated with infection in humans.[12]
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis infection associated with cat urine has been identified as an emerging bacterial pathogen in some European countries. In infected humans, jaundice may or may not be a symptom. If jaundice is a symptom the infection becomes more severe and rapidly progresses.[15]
Tuberculosis and influenza
Different strains of the
Kennel cough
Bordetella bronchiseptica has been identified in cats with owners that also are infected with this pathogen. Individuals having this infection have usually been cancer or transplant patients. Those with this infection can develop serious pneumonia.[1]
Echinococcosis
Echinococcus multilocularis can infect cats and then be transmitted to their owners to cause human alveolar echinococcosis. Foxes have transmitted this pathogen to cats in Germany, Austria, France and Japan.[1]
Arthropods
Fungi
Cats are reservoirs and are able to transmit mycotic infections.
Sporotrichosis is a fungal disease that is transmitted by mostly outdoor cats.[1]
Platyhelminthes
Paragonimiasis, or
Cats can harbor and transmit hookworms to people.[20]
Protozoans
Another important protozoan disease associated with cats is Toxoplasma gondii, for which cats act as the definitive reservoir. Infected cats shed oocysts in their faeces, which upon ingestion can infect an individual. Pregnant women are especially at risk as it is associated with miscarriage, hydrocephalus of the newborn, or other symptoms.[21]
Prevention
One strategy for the prevention of infection transmission between cats and people is to better educate people on the behaviour that puts them at risk for becoming infected.[3]
Those at the highest risk of contracting a disease from a cat are those with behaviors that include: being licked, sharing food, sharing kitchen utensils, kissing, and sleeping with a cat.[1] The very young, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised increase their risk of becoming infected when sleeping with their cats (and dogs). The CDC recommends that cat owners not allow a cat to lick your face because it can result in disease transmission. If someone is licked on their face, mucous membranes or an open wound, the risk for infection is reduced if the area is immediately washed with soap and water. Maintaining the health of the animal by regular inspection for fleas and ticks, scheduling deworming medications along with veterinary exams will also reduce the risk of acquiring a feline zoonosis.[12]
Recommendations for the prevention of ringworm transmission to people include:[citation needed]
- regularly vacuuming areas of the home that pets commonly visit helps to remove fur or flakes of skin
- washing the hands with soap and running water after playing with or petting your pet.
- wearing gloves and long sleeves when handling cats infected with.
- disinfect areas the pet has spent time in, including surfaces and bedding.
- the spores of this fungus can be killed with common disinfectants like chlorine bleach diluted 1:10 (1/4 cup in 1 gallon of water), benzalkonium chloride, or strong detergents.
- not handling cats with ringworm by those whose immune system is weak in any way (if you have HIV/AIDS, are undergoing cancer treatment, or are taking medications that suppress the immune system, for example).
- taking the cat to the veterinarian if ringworm infection is suspected.[22]
See also
References
- ^ PMID 26480316.
- ^ PMID 25897046.
- ^ S2CID 34956653.
- ISBN 9781466521278.
- ^ a b "Cats". Ohio Department of Health. January 21, 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
- ^ "Zoonoses, Animal diseases that may also affect humans". Victoria State Government, Australia. 2007. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
- ^ "pr107-16". www1.nyc.gov. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Avian Flu". www1.nyc.gov. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "pr107-16". www1.nyc.gov. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ PMID 26422413.
- S2CID 1417090.
- ^ PMID 21291584. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
- ^ a b c "Cats, Healthy Pets, Healthy People". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 13, 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-25. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- PMID 10852811.
- ^ PMID 25754092.
- ISBN 9780071763721.
- ^ "Definition of Ringworm". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 30, 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2017. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- ^ "Ringworm - Healthy Pets Healthy People". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 30, 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2017. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- ^ Heymann 2015, pp. 443–445.
- ^ "Parasites - Animals (Zoonotic)". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 19 June 2017. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- PMID 9988811. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ "Ringworm (Dermatophytosis Infection)". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 30, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2017. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Bibliography
- Heymann, David (2015). Control of communicable diseases manual : an official report of the American Public Health Association. Washington, DC: APHA Press. ISBN 9780875530185. An imprint of the American Public Health Association.