AI Article Synopsis
- The study assessed pet ownership and health in families with immunocompromised children, focusing on zoonotic disease risks.
- Out of 70 families contacted, 47 had pets, with risk factors identified such as owning turtles and inadequate veterinary care.
- Many pets exhibited zoonotic diseases, and high percentages of dogs had ticks and fleas, indicating a need for better safety policies regarding pet interaction for immunocompromised children.
Article Abstract
Objective: 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 canis, Cryptosporidium sp, Giardia intestinalis, Toxocara canis 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.
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