Small Animal Zoonoses and Immuncompromised Pet Owners

Pets can serve as a source of zoonotic pathogens.

“Pets are a potential source of infection, with patients who are immunocompromised, pregnant women, young children and older adults at the greatest risk for transmission.”

Companion animals are a potential source for more than 70 human diseases.

“Through these mechanisms, companion animals are a potential source for more than 70 human diseases, 2,5,6”

Toxoplasmosis is of greatest concern in previously non-immune pregnant women and immunocompromised patients, regardless of exposure status; in such patients, congenital defects and encephalitis or meningitis can occur.

“Toxoplasmosis is of greatest concern in previously non-immune pregnant women and immunocompromised patients, regardless of exposure status; in such patients, congenital defects and encephalitis or meningitis can occur. 5,8”

Patients with a compromised or incompletely developed immune system, such as young children (<5 yr), older adults (≥65 yr), pregnant women and patients with conditions or undergoing treatments that reduce immune function, are at increased risk for pet-associated disease.

“Patients with a compromised or incompletely developed immune system, such as young children (&lt;5 yr), older adults ( ≥ 65 yr), pregnant women and patients with conditions or undergoing treatments that reduce immune function are at increased risk for pet-associated disease. 5,15”

Recommendations for animal ownership and contact have been published for patients in high-risk groups.

“Recommendations for animal ownership and contact have been published for patients in highrisk groups, 5,8,28-35”

The immune-related mechanisms for increased disease risk are incomplete immune development, waning immune response, temporary hormone-induced immune suppression such as in pregnancy, or congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies.

“The immune-related mechanisms for increased disease risk are incomplete immune development, waning immune response, temporary hormone-induced immune suppression, such as in pregnancy, or congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies (e.g., metabolic diseases and cancer). 5”

People may acquire pet-associated zoonotic infections through bites, scratches or other direct contact of skin or mucous membranes with animals, contact with animal saliva, urine and other body fluids or secretions, ingestion of animal fecal material, inhalation of infectious aerosols or droplets, and through the bite of arthropods and other invertebrate vectors.

“People may acquire pet-associated zoonotic infections through bites, scratches or other direct contact of the skin or mucous membranes with animals, contact with animal saliva, urine and other body fluids or secretions, ingestion of animal fecal material, inhalation of infectious aerosols or droplets and through the bite of arthropods and other invertebrate vectors. 5”