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Zoonoses from cats

Zoonoses from catsAuthor Camille N Kotton, MD Section Editor Daniel J Sexton, MD Deputy Editor Elinor L Baron, MD, DTMH Disclosures All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process iscomplete.Literature review current through: Oct 2012. | This topic last updated: May 8, 2012.

INTRODUCTION Pets serve valuable social roles in society [1,2]. Pets may lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and improve feelings of loneliness, whileincreasing opportunities for exercise, outdoor activities, and socialization [1].

In a small, randomized, controlled study of 28 patients with chronic age-related disabilities livingin a nursing home, patients were randomly assigned to animal interaction ("pet therapy")compared with usual activities (control group) [3]. The "pet therapy" group patients hadimproved symptoms of depression and a significant decrease in blood pressure values ascompared with the control patients.

Despite these benefits, pets present zoonotic risks, especially for immunocompromised hosts [4-6]. The epidemiology of cat-related zoonoses will be reviewed here. The epidemiology of pet-related zoonoses other than cats is presented separately. (See "Zoonoses from dogs" and"Zoonoses from pets other than dogs and cats" .) The clinical management of specific zoonoticdiseases is discussed under the appropriate topic reviews.

DEFINITION A zoonosis is an animal disease that is transmissible to humans. Humans areusually an accidental host that acquire disease through close contact with an infected animal,who may or may not be symptomatic.

INCIDENCE The American Pet Association estimates that there are 77 million cats in theUnited States (www.apapets.org ). The most common route of infection related to cat contact isthrough bites and scratches, especially in children. (See "Soft tissue infections due to dog and cat

bites" .)

Cats can harbor many of the same infections as dogs. In addition, cats may transmit zoonosesspecific to felines, such as cat-scratch disease, toxoplasmosis, and Sporothrix schenckiiinfections.

RISK FACTORS Clinicians should ask about pets when taking a medical history andformulating a differential diagnosis. Many of the risks posed by pet ownership can be reduced by

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good hygiene after handling pets, careful pet selection, and proper pet care. New pets can posemore of a health risk because health history and vaccination records may not be known. Adult

pets are generally safer than younger animals, since they are less likely to be involved in playfulactivities that include scratching and biting. Children are at highest risk for infection becausethey are more likely to have close contact with pets.