Zoonoses in Veterinary Students: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

BackgroundVeterinary students face diverse potential sources of zoonotic pathogens since the first years of their academic degree. Such sources include different animal species and pathologic materials which are used at university facilities as well as commercial clinics, farms and other external facilities.ObjectivesThe present study utilizes a systematic review of the literature to identify zoonoses described in veterinary students.Data sourcesWeb of Science and PubMed.ResultsOf the 1,254 titles produced by the bibliographic search, 62 were included in this review. Whereas 28 of these articles (45.2%) described individual cases or outbreaks, the remaining 34 (54.8%) reported serological results. The zoonotic etiological agents described were bacteria, in 39 studies (62.9%), parasites, in 12 works (19.4%), virus, in 9 studies (14.5%) and fungi, in 2 (3.2%) of the selected articles. The selected literature included references from 24 different countries and covered the time period of the last 55 years.LimitationsThe fact that common cases of disease or cases of little clinical importance without collective repercussions are not usually published in peer-reviewed journals limits the possibility to reach conclusions from a quantitative point of view. Furthermore, most of the selected works (66.1%) refer to European or North American countries, and thus, the number of cases due to pathogens which could appear more frequently in non-occidental countries might be underestimated.Conclusions/implicationsThe results of the present systematic review highlight the need of including training in zoonotic diseases since the first years of Veterinary Science degrees, especially focusing on biosecurity measures (hygienic measures and the utilization of the personal protective equipment), as a way of protecting students, and on monitoring programs, so as to adequately advise affected students or students suspicious of enduring zoonoses.

A retrospective epidemiological analysis of human Cryptosporidium infection in China during the past three decades (1987-2018)

“…Fram animals, especially pre-weaned calves, are considered to be one of main animal reservoir hosts of Cryptosporidium in the transmission of human cryptosporidiosis. Contact with infected calves has been implicated as the cause of many small cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in veterinary students, research technicians, and children attending agricultural camps and fairs [13]. In five outbreaks (32 cases) in the UK [60] and one outbreak (40 cases) in Norway [12], all the human cases of cryptosporidiosis were confirmed molecularly to be linked to contact with lambs/ goats.…”

“…Animal-to-person transmission primarily occurs among veterinarians and veterinary students as well as other people exposed to agricultural animals and children visiting farms [6]. To date, more than 20 outbreaks related to contact with animals have been reported [6,[11][12][13][14]. Cattle, especially pre-weaned calves, are considered to be an important source of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis [15].…”

Veterinary Students Have a Higher Risk of Contracting Cryptosporidiosis when Calves with High Fecal Cryptosporidium Loads Are Used for Fetotomy Exercises

“…Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have become a matter of concern in the academic training of veterinary students. In our study, an increased awareness among the students might have been in place, compared with other settings where fewer protective measures are used and infections among the students have happened as well (24). Several students emphasized their interest in the exercise, but more than two thirds of the students declared nervousness about becoming sick in relation to the fetotomy exercise, and some students were observed wearing two face masks or four pairs of gloves on top of each other.…”

“…It is important to prevent outbreaks of zoonotic infectious diseases while ensuring proper training of the veterinary students. Due to the exposure of veterinary students to zoonoses (24), surveillance and reporting systems at the on October 30, 2020 by guest http://aem.asm.org/ Downloaded from universities would be beneficial to reduce the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens to this risk group and potential secondary cases (25). The prospective cohort study comprised Period II (September 2018 to January 2019) and Period III (February to June 2019).…”

Распространенность Криптоспоридиоза У Детей С Диареей В Донецкой Области, Украина

“…Оригінальні дослідження / Original Researches які відвідували регіони із високим рівнем ендемічної захворюваності на крипто споридіоз [2,[6][7][8][9].…”