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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Environ Res Public Health / Surveillance of Zoonotic Parasites in Animals Involved in An...
International journal of environmental research and public health2020; 17(21); 7914; doi: 10.3390/ijerph17217914

Surveillance of Zoonotic Parasites in Animals Involved in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs).

Abstract: Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are based on the establishment of a therapeutic relationship between animals and beneficiaries that is certain to provide positive effects, while currently, it reads as if AAIs aim at exposing stakeholders to potential risk of infection. The surveillance of zoonotic pathogens is necessary for guaranteeing common health. This study investigated the presence of potentially zoonotic parasites, including dermatophytes, in animals involved in AAIs. Between 2015 and 2017, 190 animals (equids, dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, and goats) were investigated. Anamnestic and management data were recorded. Individual faecal samples were analysed using a copromicroscopic procedure. Fur and skin were examined for ectoparasites during clinical examinations, and samples for mycological investigation were collected by brushing. Parasites were described in 60 (31.6%) investigated animals. Thirteen out of the 60 (21.7%) animals harboured potentially zoonotic parasites, mainly recovered in dogs (Ancylostomatidae, , , and ) and a cat (). and , potential agents of cutaneous mycosis, were isolated in a dog and a horse, respectively. No ectoparasites were found. AAIs might represent a source of infections either directly or via environmental contamination. Thus, active surveillance is necessary and animal screenings should be planned and scheduled according to the risk of exposure.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-28 PubMed ID: 33126661PubMed Central: PMC7663587DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217914Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article analyzes the presence of parasites, specifically those that can be caught by humans, in animals involved in therapeutic Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs). The study emphasizes that active surveillance is necessary to prevent potential infections.

Study Overview

  • The study was conducted over the span of two years, from 2015 to 2017 and looked at a total of 190 animals involved in AAIs. These animals consisted of a wide range including dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, goats, and equids.
  • Researchers utilized a copromicroscopic procedure to analyze individual fecal samples. Ectoparasites, which live on the outside of a host, were searched for during clinical examinations of fur and skin. In addition, samples for mycological investigation, the study of fungi, were collected by brushing.
  • In parallel to the investigations, veterinarians also recorded any relevant medical history or management data attached to each animal.

Findings

  • A total of 60 animals, equating to 31.6% of all examined, were found to have parasites. Of these 60 animals, approximately 21.7% were found to carry parasites that could potentially be caught by humans (zoonotic parasites).
  • These zoonotic parasites were commonly found in dogs and included Ancylostomatidae, , , and . Additionally, a cat was found to carry .
  • It was also discovered that , and , both potential causes of skin fungal infections (cutaneous mycosis), were isolated in a dog and a horse.
  • Interestingly, no ectoparasites were identified in any of the animals examined.

Implications

  • The presence of potentially zoonotic parasites in animals linked with AAIs indicates that these interventions could serve as sources of infections for the beneficiaries, either directly or through environmental contamination.
  • Given the potential risk, the study suggests that ongoing surveillance is critical and screenings for parasites in animals involved in AAIs should be regularly scheduled and planned according to the risk of exposure.

Cite This Article

APA
Simonato G, Danesi P, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Dotto G, Tessarin C, Pietrobelli M, Pasotto D. (2020). Surveillance of Zoonotic Parasites in Animals Involved in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs). Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(21), 7914. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217914

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 21
PII: 7914

Researcher Affiliations

Simonato, Giulia
  • Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy.
Danesi, Patrizia
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, viale dell'Università 10, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy.
Frangipane di Regalbono, Antonio
  • Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy.
Dotto, Giorgia
  • Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy.
Tessarin, Cinzia
  • Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy.
Pietrobelli, Mario
  • Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy.
Pasotto, Daniela
  • Department of Animal Medicine Production and Health, University of Padova, viale dell'Università 16, Legnaro, 35020 Padova, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Assisted Therapy
  • Animal Fur
  • Animals
  • Birds / parasitology
  • Cats / parasitology
  • Dogs / parasitology
  • Feces
  • Goats / parasitology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Parasites / isolation & purification
  • Prevalence
  • Rabbits / parasitology
  • Rodentia / parasitology
  • Skin
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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