Feline zoonosis

Feline zoonosis
SpecialtyInfectious disease, veterinary medicine

A feline zoonosis is a viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, nematode or arthropod infection that can be transmitted to humans from the domesticated cat, Felis catus. Some of these 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 is dependent on the immune status and age of the person. Those who live in close association with cats are more prone to these infections, but those that do not keep cats as pets can also acquire these infections as 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. 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.[4] Some contagious infections such as campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis cause visible symptoms of the disease in cats. Other infections, such as cat scratch disease and toxoplasmosis, have no visible symptoms and are carried by apparently healthy cats.[5]

  1. ^ Chomel, Bruno (2014). "Emerging and Re-Emerging Zoonoses of Dogs and Cats". Animals. 4 (3): 434–445. doi:10.3390/ani4030434. ISSN 2076-2615. PMC 4494318. PMID 26480316.
  2. ^ 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. PMC 4500695. PMID 25897046.
  3. ^ Gurry, Greta A.; Campion, Veronique; Premawardena, Chamath; Woolley, Ian; Shortt, Jake; Bowden, Donald K.; Kaplan, Zane; Dendle, Claire (2017). "High rates of potentially infectious exposures between immunocompromised patients and their companion animals: an unmet need for education". Internal Medicine Journal. 47 (3): 333–335. doi:10.1111/imj.13361. hdl:11343/292579. ISSN 1444-0903. PMID 28260250. S2CID 34956653.
  4. ^ Adams, Clark E.; Lindsey, Kieran J. (2012-06-15). "Chapter 12. The ecology and management considerations of selected species.". Urban Wildlife Management (2nd ed.). CRC Press. p. 296. ISBN 9781466521278.
  5. ^ "Cats". Ohio Department of Health. January 21, 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2016-11-26.