Pet ownership and health status of pets from immunocompromised children, with emphasis in zoonotic diseases

作者：Abarca Katia V^*; del Lopez P Javier; Pena D Anamaria; Carlos Lopez G J

来源：Revista Chilena de Infectologia, 2011, 28(3): 205-210.

• Pets
• immunosupressed patients
• zoonoses
• pet related infections

Objetive: To characterize pet ownership and pet health status in families of immunocompromised (IS) children, with emphasis in zoonotic diseases. Population and Methods: Families of IS children from two hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were interviewed and their pets were evaluated by veterinary examination, coproparasitologic and skin dermatophytes test. In specific cases, other laboratory tests were performed in IS children or their relatives. Results: 47 out of 70 contacted families had pets, 42 participated in the study. Several risk factors for IS children were observed, as having a turtle as a pet and to clean cat or turtle faeces. Lack of adequate veterinary control, immunizations and deparasitation of pets were observed. Some animals showed zoonotic diseases or agents, as Brucella cants, Cryptosporidium sp. Giardia intestinalis, Toxocara cants and scabies. 44% of dogs had ticks and 37% had fleas, both potential vectors of infections. Conclusions: Our results suggest that policies to provide safer pet contact in IS children are needed.

• 出版日期2011-6