Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dogs, zoonoses and immunosuppression.
- Journal:
- The journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health
- Year:
- 2002
- Authors:
- Robinson, R A & Pugh, R N
- Affiliation:
- College of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Dogs can carry infections that can be passed to humans, which can be especially risky for people with weakened immune systems, like those with HIV or the elderly who are on medications that suppress their immune response. As more people with these conditions choose to have dogs, it raises concerns about the potential for these infections to spread. Common germs from dogs, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, can pose health risks to these individuals. There is a need for better communication between veterinarians and doctors to ensure pet owners understand these risks and how to manage them. Overall, the study highlights the importance of maintaining a clean environment and protecting skin barriers to help keep immunocompromised dog owners safe.
Abstract
Dogs are the source of a wide range of zoonotic infections that pose a significant threat to human health. This is particularly the case for immunocompromised people, although there are few robust studies that determine immunosuppression as a risk factor for transmission of zoonoses from dogs to humans. An increasing proportion of human society is immunodeficient, principally through the advent of HIV infection and through more people, particularly the expanding elderly group, being subjected to immunosuppressive agents. This is happening at a time when more such people are capitalizing on the acknowledged benefits of dog ownership, making for a potentially dangerous mix. Enteric pathogens (for example, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Cryptosporidium species, that may be canine derived) are a frequent risk to the health of immunocompromised persons. Veterinarians and physicians can be criticised for not communicating with each other, and for not providing adequate risk assessment to pet owners. There is scope for voluntary groups to provide information and support for the immunosuppressed who wish to keep their dogs. Key recommendations are to maintain a clean personal environment and intact mucocutaneous barriers. Public health professionals could help rectify the current communications gap between veterinary and medical staff and so facilitate in the appropriate management of dog-owning immunocompromised people.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12134775/