ZOONOSES of COMPANION

ANIMALS 1
Lecture_03
ZOONOSES of COMPANION ANIMALS

1. Skin and Integument

2. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT)

3. Systemic
Who is a companion…
 Zoonosis of the Skin
1. BACTERIAL: Dermatophilus congolensis (Dermatophilosis),
Mycobacterium bovis (TB), Staphylococcus aureus
(Staphylococcosis)

2. FUNGAL: Microsporum spp, (Dermatophytosis), Trichophyton

spp

3. PARASITIC: Sarcoptes scabei (sarcoptic mange), Notoedres

(notoedric mange = feline scabies), Otodectes spp. (otodectic
mange), Ctenocephalides spp. (fleas allergy dermatitis), Ixodes
spp. (ticks), Ancyclostoma caninum (Cutaneous larval
migrans), Ancyclostoma brasiliense (Cutaneous larval migrans)

Dermatophytosis, scabies, and fleas – most common

Over 5% of the cases presenting at human dermatology clinics are
directly attributable to animal ectoparasites
 DERMATOPHYTOSIS (Ringworm)

Aetiology
• An infection of epidermal tissues caused by
dermatophyte fungi
• Penetrate and parasitise keratinous body tissues
(stratum corneum of the skin, hair, feathers, horns,
nails)

• 35 recognised species of dermatophytes belong to

3 genera:
a. Microsporum sp,
b. Trichophyton sp.
c. Epidermophyton sp.
Classification – primary habitat, host preference

I. Zoophilic animal parasites

(also pathogenic for
humans) e.g. M. canis, T.
verrucosum, T.
mentagrophytes
II. Geophilic- live as
saprophytes in the soil &
rarely infect humans or
animals e.g. M. gypseum
III. Anthropophilic- primarily
parasites of humans and
rarely infect animals - e.g.
M. audouinii, T. rubrum
 Incidence of human infections

Microsporum canis
Trichophyton verrucosum
Trichophyton mentagrophytes
are the most important
zoophilic species in human
infections

M. canis
• 15% of human cases
• can be found on 7 - 88% of
cats and 3.9% of dogs
without apparent lesions
(asymptomatic carriers)
SOURCE and TRANSMISSION of HUMAN INFECTIONS
• Animals are the natural reservoirs of zoophilic dermatophytes
• Cats and dogs (M. canis), cattle (T. verrucosum) and rodents (e.g.
guinea pigs and rabbits)

• Young animals are more likely to transmit infections via:

a. Direct contact with an infected animal (sick or carriers)
b. Indirectly by means of spores on hairs and dermal scales shed by
the animal into its environment
c. From person to person - rare
• Transmission of anthropophilic dermatophytes from man to animals is
rare
• Geophilic dermatophytes - sporadic cases of ringworm

People most at risk:

1. Persons (young or old) handling cats (especially kittens) with skin lesions
2. Handlers of laboratory animals, cattle handlers
3. Laboratory workers handling fungal cultures
CLINICAL SIGNS in HUMANS and ANIMALS
• Incubation period approx. 1 to 6 weeks in humans
• Zoophilic and geophilic dermatophytes - more severe inflammation
• Clinical features of dermatophytosis - extremely variable & quite
difficult to diagnose accurately

Clinical features in humans and animals include:

1. Classic ringworm lesions of annular, expanding erythema with
central clearing, scaling, crusting and alopecia, primarily on the
glabrous skin and scalp – these lesions are usually non pruritic
2. Eczematous annular lesions with no central clearing
3. Herpetiform lesions with vesicles, erosions and crusts
4. Kerion with granuloma formation and a red, swollen lesion
5. Majocchi's granuloma with follicle pustule development

• Immunocompetent - infection limited to keratinised layers of the

skin and hairs
• Immunocompromised hosts- deeper tissue (invasive) to involve
systemic infections
anywhere….
 Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on:
1. History
2. Physical examination
3. Wood’s Lamp examination for M. canis
4. 10% KOH preparation
5. Skin biopsy
6. Fungal culture- the most accurate method for
confirmation of a diagnosis e.g. the
Mackenzie toothbrush method is good for
diagnosis of asymptomatic carriers
 Treatment
• Self-limiting disease in animals, spontaneous remission 1 - 3 months
• Complete treatment plan for infected animals (including the carrier
state) should include:
1. Treat infected animals
2. Prevent spread by isolation of infected animal
3. Decontaminate the environment

Treatment of Single lesions:

– Clipping (approx. 6cm) area around the lesion and apply topical
cream (e.g. Miconozole, Cotrimazole creams) daily
– Wash the entire animal 1-2 times per week (with antifungals)
– Other topical antifungal agents include
a. 2% lime sulphur
b. dilute sodium hypochlorite (1:10 dilution of chlorine bleach)
c. chlorhexidine ointment
d. povidone-iodine ointment
 Treatment…
Generalised or multifocal infections
a. Aggressive topical medications includes clipping the entire animal
b. Environmental treatment- bedding, floor, furniture, car
c. Systemic medication (eg. griseofulvin)

• People in direct contact of infected animals should wear gloves during

handling of the animal and cleansing of the environment
SCABIES
 SCABIES…
Aetiology
Mange mites
a. Sarcoptes spp,
b. Notoedres felis

• There could be some

host specificity but
cross-transmission
occurs
 Source & Transmission
Range of domestic & wild animals: pigs, dogs, cats, horses

Pigs:
• reservoir for Sarcoptes scabei var. hominis
• Sarcoptes spp. – permanent parasites

Transmission
• Direct contact with an infected animal or contaminated fomites
• Mites quickly (30 mins) burrow deep into the skin of their natural
host
• Non-adapted hosts (e.g. humans) - temporary, often do not
propagate or burrow extensively into the skin
a. S. scabiei var. bovis - from cattle to a milker (dairyman’s itch)
b. S. scabiei var. canis - humans handling dogs
c. S. scabiei var. suis - handling by butchers or pig growers
 Source & Transmission…
Mites may migrate
through clothing

Environment- can survive

for up to 18 days

Transmission occurs by
close contact
Clinical Signs – within hours or up to 3 days
• Hypersensitivity to salivary secretions & excreta of mites
• Lesions: papules, vesicles, pustules, erythematous
macules, allergic lesions and impetigo
• Pruritis - nocturnal

Diagnosis
• Demonstration of mites or eggs in skin scrapings
• Repeated scrapings are usually required
 Treatment & Control of scabies
Itching- antipruritic drugs Control in animals:
– Antihistamines 1. Avoid contacts with
– Corticosteroids infested animals
– Local application of
70% ethanol 2. Acaricides for infested
animals

Drugs application:
3. Environment (stables,
permethrin, ivermectin, courtyards, kennels
lindane etc) must be treated
with pyrethroids
like your pet, treat your pet….
 Cutaneous Larva Migrans
Aetiology: Hookworm larvae
• Ancyclostoma caninum,
• A. braziliense, Uncinaria stenocephala

Source
• Soil contaminated with infective larvae from dog or cat
faeces
• Eggs of cat and dog hookworms are passed in the faeces
but must mature before becoming infective

Transmission
• Third stage larvae directly penetrate exposed skin
• No person-to-person transmission
Clinical Signs
Lesions are usually found on exposed skin:
Feet, legs, buttocks, hands
Incubation period approx. 1 to 3 days

Intense pruritis and red papules at the

point of penetration

Larvae move intra-cutaneously causing

“creeping eruption”
 Visceral and Occular larva migrans

Human eosinophilic enterocolitis:

hookworm undergoing systemic
migration in the GIT

Visceral and Occular larva migrans

is caused by:
– Toxocara canis (dogs)
– Toxocara cati (cats)
– Toxascaris leonina (cats)
– Ascaris suum (pigs)
 Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
• Cats and dogs - faecal examination for eggs
• In humans –
– Clinical signs
– Definitive diagnosis - larva at the end of the skin tunnel
– Rapid clinical improvement (within 24 h) after
anthelmintic treatment

Therapy
• Mebendazole, Albendazole.
 Control…

1. Strict hygiene and

sanitation

2. Avoid grounds polluted

with dog feces

3. Dogs should be
dewormed regularly
FLEAS
(preferential hosts, agents transmitted...)
 The Flea, and the agent
Aetiology:
Ctenocephalides canis
C. felis
- dogs, cats, humans, foxes
- Transmit cysticercoids of
Hymenolepis sp, Diphylidium
caninum,
- Transmit Richetisa felis

• Echidnophaga sp
Source
• Mainly cats and dogs
• Others include rodents and poultry

Transmission
• Fleas may jump directly from infested animals or from the
environment e.g. bedding

Clinical Signs
1. Intense pruritis, erythema and swelling at the bite site
2. Stick-fast fleas bury their heads under the epidermis and cause
more irritation
3. Fleas - vectors for other organisms (e.g. Y. pseudotuberculosis
subsp pestis) and thus transmission of these diseases

Diagnosis
• Visible to the naked eye
• Are light sensitive and could be difficult to detect
Therapy
• Flea bites are treated symptomatically to mitigate pruritus (anti-
inflammatory/antihistamines)
• Super-infected bites - antibiotic treatment

Prophylaxis
1. Avoid or Treat Infested areas e.g. deserted resting places of cats, dogs
2. Clean, disinfect Nest boxes for free-range chicken, birds
3. Apply Repellents e.g. N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide
4. Effective control of flea infestations on pets e.g. insecticide-treated
collars protect for several months
5. Highly active, killing (knock-down) substances with long-lasting
activity:
– Imidoclopride
– Fipronil
– Synthetic pyrethroids
Tunga penetrans (jiggers)
 Tunga penetrans – treatment & control

Therapy
• Fleas should be removed as early as possible by
aseptic surgery, avoiding burst of the parasite

• Secondary infections need topical antibiotic

treatment.
• Topical application of phenol-containing
solutions kill the parasite & facilitate its
extraction.
• Oral treatment with ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg.
 Tunga penetrans – treatment & control

Prophylaxis

1. Shoes should be worn to prevent flea attacks

2. Simple hygienic measures- sweeping and cleaning houses and
floors

3. Spraying insecticides onto infested soil - eliminate the larvae

of the parasite
4. Plant-derived repellent (Zanzarin, based on coconut oil)
spread on the skin of the feet protects better than wearing
shoes.

5. Domestic animals have to be treated with suitable insecticides

in order to reduce the reservoir.
Lice
Aetiology
• Mallophaga (biting lice) and Anoplura (sucking lice)

Source
• Most species specific, many species temporarily affect humans
• Birds and dogs are carriers

Transmission
• Lice are transmitted directly from infested animals
Clinical Signs
• Present as a local irritation at the bite site
• There is also potential to carry other diseases such as tapeworm

Diagnosis
• Lice are macroscopic
• Diagnosis is by visual examination
Ticks: important genera, geographical distribution and
number of hosts during development
Aetiology
• Ixodes sp in particular Ixodes holocyclus
Source
• Domestic, wild animals
• Environment

Transmission
• Either directly or indirectly (through the environment)

Clinical Signs
1. Primarily irritation and local swelling
2. Ticks can also be carriers of more serious diseases e.g. Lyme disease
3. Bites may develop secondary infections, especially if the head
piece is not removed
4. Infections with I. holocyclus may result in tick paralysis
5. Other species - systemic disturbances
Ticks…
Diagnosis
• Hard ticks are usually found in situ - sustained feeding
• Argas spp. feed at night on humans- itching sensations in the
morning

Treatment
1. Ticks should be removed carefully and completely, and as early
as possible to interrupt possible transmission of pathogens.
2. Ticks should not be annoyed in situ (e.g. application of oil or
glue) as it may result in release of saliva which may be
associated with the release of pathogens
3. Removal is best done with pointed forceps (watchmaker
forceps)
4. Local reactions are treated topically – antihistamines

Control
• Buildings infested with ticks must be cleaned and disinfected with
acaricides such as pyrethroids
• Tick collars – control R. sanguineus
• Tick control in livestock should be enhanced
TICKS AS VECTORS OF DISEASES: