Zoonosis screening in Spanish immunocompromised children and their pets.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Although pets provide several social-emotional benefits for children, the risk of zoonosis must be considered among immunocompromised individuals.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital including immunocompromised patients younger than 20 years owning dogs and/or cats. Colonization and/or infection was evaluated by stool studies, bacterial swabs, blood polymerase chain reaction and serological studies in both patients and their pets, to evaluate potential zoonotic transmission occurrence.

Results

We included 74 patients and their 92 pets (63 dogs, 29 cats). Up to 44.6% of the patients and 31.5% of the pets had at least 1 positive result. Up to 18.4% of pets' fecal samples were positive (bacteria, parasites or hepatitis E virus).

SUBMITTER: Garcia-Sanchez P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11300328 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature