Feline zoonosis

Feline zoonosis
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Classification and external resources
Specialty Infectious disease, Veterinary Science
ICD-10 A82, W84, B08.0, B66.4

Feline zoonosis are the viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, nematode and arthropod infections that can be transmitted to humans from the domesticated cat, Felis catus. Some of these are diseases are reemerging and newly emerging infections or infestations caused by zoonotic pathogens transmitted by cats. In some instances, the cat can display symptoms of infection (these may differ from the symptoms in humans) and sometimes the cat remains asymptomatic. There can be serious illnesses and clinical manifestations in people who become infected. This dependent on their immune status and age. Those who live in close association with cats are more prone to these infections. But those that do not keep cats as pets are also able to acquire these infections because of the transmission can be from cat feces and the parasites that leave their bodies.[1]

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. Feline zooinosis can be acquired by a person by inhalation of aerosols or droplets coughed up by the cat.[2]

In the United States forty percent of homes have at least one cat. Some contagious infections such as campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis cause visible symptoms of the disease in cats. Other infections like cat scratch disease and toxoplasmosis are have no visible symptoms and are carried by apparently healthy cats.”[3]

Bites

Statistics generated by the state of Ohio document that Cat bites are about 20% of all animal bites per 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.[3][4]

Viral

Cowpox infection

In 2010, over 400 cases of cowpox infection from cats to human have been described. The symptoms differ between both humans and cats. In people, local exanthema appears on the arms and face. The infection resolves on its own but those who are immunosuppressed can progress to systematic infection that closely resembles smallpox. When the infection has expanded to severe symptoms, it can be lethal. The signs of cowpox infection in cats can be seen as, multiple skin sores on the paws, neck, head and mouth. The cat can also develop a purulent, discharge from the eyes. Necrotizing pneumonia has also been observed. Estimates that 50% of human cases of cowpox are due to transmission from cats in the United Kingdom.[1]

Bacterial

Pasteurella multocida and 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]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus[1] or MRSA is a common type of bacteria that is normally found on the skin of people and animals. 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.[5][2]

Cats are known to transmit plague.[6]

Transmission of Chagas Disease has been documented and is associated with sleeping with cats.[6]

The Staphylococcus intermedius bacteria, a common commensal on cats, is associated with infection in humans.[6]

Cheyletiella blakei infection has been associated with sleeping with a cat. It is manifested by bullous and vesicles that are intensly itchy. The bacterium is present on the cat's skin.[6]

Capnocytophaga canimorsus septicemia has also been associated with infection in cat owners.[6]

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.[7]

Arthropods

Cheyletiellosis (also known as Cheyletiella dermatitis) is a mild, short-term skin inflammation caused by the mite Cheyletiella blakei that feeds on skin cells. It is spread through contact with infested cats. Though not a common ectoparasite, it may be an emerging pathogen in California. The infected cat may have no signs of infection. However, affected kittens may have patches of scaly skin with dandruff. The most common symptoms of cheyletiellosis in people include itching, redness, and raised bumps on areas of the skin that touched the infested animal. Cheyletiellosis in people generally resolves on its own.[5][7]

Platyhelminthes

The lung fluke Paragonimus westermani

Paragonimiasis, or lung fluke uses cats as a reservoir and subsequently can transmit the infection to humans. Symptoms in cats have not been observed. There are over nine species of lung flukes that can be transmitted to humans from cats. The disease has been found in Asia, Africa, India, North, South and Central America. It is not uncommon and estimates of those infected are in the millions. Signs symptoms in humans are coughing up blood, migration of the flukes into other body organs including the central nervous system. There it can cause neurological symptoms such as headache, confusion, convulsions, vision problems, and bleeding in the brain. This infection in humans is sometimes mistaken for tuberculosis.[8]

Protozoans

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic disease that is transmitted through contaminated food or water from an infected person or animal. Cryptosporidiosis in cats is rare, but they can carry the protozoan without showing any signs of illness. Cryptosporidiosis can cause profuse, watery diarrhea with cramping, abdominal pain, and nausea in people. Illness in people is usually self-limiting and lasts only 2-4 days, but can become severe in people with weakened immune systems.[5] Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.) Cats transmit the protozoan through their feces. The symptoms in people weight loss and chronic diarrhea in high-risk patients. More than one species of this genus can be acquired by people. Dogs can also transmit this parasite.[2][6]

Prevention

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.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Chomel, Bruno (2014). "Emerging and Re-Emerging Zoonoses of Dogs and Cats". Animals. 4 (3): 434–445. doi:10.3390/ani4030434. ISSN 2076-2615. PMID 26480316.
  2. 1 2 3 Stull, J. W.; Brophy, J.; Weese, J. S. (2015). "Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections". Canadian Medical Association Journal. 187 (10): 736–743. doi:10.1503/cmaj.141020. ISSN 0820-3946.
  3. 1 2 "Cats". Ohio Department of Health. January 21, 2015. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
  4. ↑ "Zoonoses, Animal diseases that may also affect humans". Victoria State Government, Australia. 2007. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
  5. 1 2 3 "Cats, Healthy Pets, Healthy People". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 13, 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-25.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Chomel, Bruno B.; Sun, Ben (January 26, 2011). "Zoonoses in the Bedroom" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  7. 1 2 Schuller, S.; Francey, T.; Hartmann, K.; Hugonnard, M.; Kohn, B.; Nally, J. E.; Sykes, J. (2015). "European consensus statement on leptospirosis in dogs and cats". Journal of Small Animal Practice. 56 (3): 159–179. doi:10.1111/jsap.12328. ISSN 0022-4510.
  8. ↑ Heymann, pp. 443-445.

Bibliography

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zoonoses.


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