Zoonoses of dermatologic interest

Abstract

Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Transmission occurs directly or through vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes, or flies. The causative agents include bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. Domestic pets and livestock, as well as wild animals, can be the source of disease. In this summary, we will focus on a number of dermatologically relevant examples.

Fungal Infections From Human and Animal Contact

“…49 Sporotrichosis (discussed in detail in previous articles 1,2 in this series) may be a zoonotic infection in some cases. 10 There have been epidemiologic associations of this disease with armadillo hunting, fire-ant bites and contact with domestic cats infected with Sporothrix schenckii. 10 The latter association has been controversial regarding whether it represented common environmental exposure or zoonotic transmission.…”

“…10 There have been epidemiologic associations of this disease with armadillo hunting, fire-ant bites and contact with domestic cats infected with Sporothrix schenckii. 10 The latter association has been controversial regarding whether it represented common environmental exposure or zoonotic transmission. 55 There is molecular evidence favoring transmission of S. schenckii between cats and humans 56 This may be an emerging route of transmission presently restricted to certain epidemic locales.…”

“…6,8 Domestic animals can transmit dermatologic fungal infections, especially tinea corporis and pedis, by direct contact. 10,[52][53][54] Zoophilic T. interdigitale may cause the rare, acute ulcerative type of tinea pedis described earlier. 31 Malassezia pachydermatis fungemia has occurred as outbreaks in neonatal intensive care units, including one case in which the employee acquired the strain from a household dog.…”

“…12 In general, tinea capitis due to zoophilic, and the rare geophilic, dermatophyte species tend to cause a more inflammatory disease than anthropophilic species. 10,12,27 The predominant zoophilic tinea capitis species in North America is M. canis. 7,12 Kerion may be caused by zoophilic Trichophyton verrucosum or T. mentagrophytes.…”

Enhancing community health: Veterinary services for underserved areas in Costa Rica with a One Health Approach

“…Skin diseases such as dermatophytosis (due to Microsporum canis , T. rubrum complex, Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex and Nannizia gypsea ) and scabies (due to Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis and Notoedres cati ), might have a zoonotic component [ [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] ]. Fleas and ticks can act as vectors for infectious zoonotic agents, posing a health risk to both humans and other animals in the vicinity [ 35 ].…”