[Pet ownership and health status of pets from immunocompromised children, with emphasis in zoonotic diseases]. / Tenencia y estado de salud de mascotas de niños inmunocomprometidos, con énfasis en enfermedades zoonóticas.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize pet ownership and pet health status in families of immunocompromised (IS) children, with emphasis in zoonotic diseases. POPULATION AND METHODS: Families of IS children from two hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were interviewed and their pets were evaluated by veterinary examination, coproparasitologic and skin dermatophytes test. In specific cases, other laboratory tests were performed in IS children or their relatives. RESULTS: 47 out of 70 contacted families had pets, 42 participated in the study. Several risk factors for IS children were observed, as having a turtle as a pet and to clean cat or turtle faeces. Lack of adequate veterinary control, immunizations and deparasitation of pets were observed. Some animals showed zoonotic diseases or agents, as Brucella canis, Cryptosporidium sp, Giardia intestinalis, Toxocara canis and scabies. 44% of dogs had ticks and 37% had fleas, both potential vectors of infections. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that policies to provide safer pet contact in IS children are needed.

Tenencia y estado de salud de mascotas de niños inmunocomprometidos, con énfasis en enfermedades zoonóticas / Pet ownership and health status of pets from immunocompromised children, with emphasis in zoonotic diseases

Objetive: To characterize pet ownership and pet health status in families of immunocompromised (IS) children, with emphasis in zoonotic diseases. Population and Methods: Families of IS children from two hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were interviewed and their pets were evaluated by veterinary examination, coproparasitologic and skin dermatophytes test. In specific cases, other laboratory tests were performed in IS children or their relatives. Results: 47 out of 70 contacted families had pets, 42 participated in the study. Several risk factors for IS children were observed, as having a turtle as a pet and to clean cat or turtle faeces. Lack of adequate veterinary control, immunizations and deparasitation of pets were observed. Some animals showed zoonotic diseases or agents, as Brucella canis, Cryptosporidium sp, Giardia intestinalis, Toxocara canis and scabies. 44 percent of dogs had ticks and 37 percent had fleas, both potential vectors of infections. Conclusions: Our results suggest that policies to provide safer pet contact in IS children are needed.

Objetivo: Caracterizar la tenencia y estado de salud de mascotas de niños inmunocomprometidos (IC), con énfasis en situaciones y agentes infecciosos de potencial riesgo para la salud del niño. Población y Métodos: Se entrevistó a familias de niños IC en tratamiento en dos hospitales de Santiago y se evaluó la salud de sus mascotas mediante examen clínico veterinario, copro-parasitológico y búsqueda de dermatofitos en el pelaje. En casos puntuales, se realizaron algunos exámenes de laboratorio específicos a los niños o sus familiares. Resultados: 47 de 70 familias contactadas tenían mascotas, 42 participaron del estudio. Se detectaron situaciones de alto riesgo para niños IC como poseer tortuga como mascota y limpiar excretas de gatos y tortugas. Se evidenció una mínima adherencia al control veterinario, inmunizaciones y desparasitación de mascotas. Se identificaron animales con enfermedades o agentes con potencial zoonótico, destacando Brucella canis, Cryptosporidium sp, Giardia intestinalis, Toxocara canis y sarna sarcóptica. Un 44 por ciento de los perros presentaban garrapatas y 37 por ciento pulgas, ambos potenciales vectores de infecciones. Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que en nuestro medio es necesario implementar medidas que permitan una tenencia más segura de las mascotas en contacto con niños IC.

[Seroepidemiological evidence of human exposure to Anaplasma sp in Santiago, Chile]. / Evidencia seroepidemiológica de exposición humana a Anaplasma sp en Santiago, Chile.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: To find more evidence of human exposure to Anaplasma sp in Chile, we studied 108 contacts of dogs with canine ehrlichiosis (CE) (risk group) and 61 persons without tick or CE cases contact (control group). A survey including risk factors and history of diseases compatible with ehrlichiosis/ anaplasmosis was applied to the risk group. Serum IgG anti-Anaplasma sp antibodies were determined in both groups. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the prevalence of anti-Anaplasma sp antibodies in the risk group compared with the control group (18,5 versus 3,3%), p < 0,005. No risk factors associated to seropositivity were found, nor persons with history suggesting ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. Ninety four percent of the houses of the risk group had tick infestation. DISCUSSION: A greater risk of exposition to Anaplasma sp is documented in people living in close contact with CE cases and in houses with tick infestation.

Evidencia seroepidemiológica de exposición humana a Anaplasma sp en Santiago, Chile / Seroepidemiological evidence of human exposure to Anaplasma sp in Santiago, Chile

Objectives and Methods: To find more evidence of human exposure to Anaplasma sp in Chile, we studied 108 contaets of dogs with canine ehrlichiosis (CE) (risk group) and 61 persons without tick or CE cases contact (control group). A survey including risk factors and history of diseases compatible with ehrlichiosis/ anaplasmosis was applied to the risk group. Serum IgG anti-Anaplasma sp antibodies were determined in both groups. Results: A significant difference was found in the prevalence of anti-Anaplasma sp antibodies in the risk group compared with the control group (18,5 versus 3,3 percent), p < 0,005. No risk factors associated to seropositivity were found, ñor persons with history suggesting ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. Ninety four percent of the houses of the risk group had tick infestation. Discussion: A greater risk of exposition to Anaplasma sp is documented in people living in cióse contact with CE cases and in houses with tick infestation.

Objetivos y Método: Con el propósito de buscar mayor evidencia de exposición humana a Anaplasma sp en Chile, se estudiaron 108 personas en contacto con perros con ehrlichiosis canina (EC) (grupo de riesgo) y 61 personas sin antecedente de contacto con garrapatas ni con perros con EC (grupo control). Se aplicó encuesta sobre factores de riesgo e historia de cuadros sugerentes de ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis al grupo de riesgo. En ambos grupos se determinó presencia de IgG anti-Anaplasma sp. Resultados: Se encontró significativa mayor prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-Anaplasma sp en el grupo de riesgo que en el grupo control (18,5 versus 3,3 por ciento), p < 0,005. No se encontraron factores de riesgo asociados a sero-positividad, ni personas con historia sugerente de ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis clínica. Noventa y cuatro por ciento de las viviendas del grupo de riesgo presentaba infestación por garrapatas. Discusión: Se evidencia mayor riesgo de exposición humana a Anaplasma sp en personas en contacto cercano con perros con EC y que habitan viviendas con infestación por garrapatas.

[Clinical and serological evidence of canine rickettsiosis in Chile]. / Evidencia clínica y serológica de rickettsiosis canina en Chile.

UNLABELLED: Rickettsial infections in pets have not been documented in Chile. Some of those infections have relevant zoonotic potential. OBJECTIVES: To report two serologically confirmed cases of canine rickettsiosis. To determine seroprevalence to Rickettsia sp in a group of dogs. METHODS: IgG antibodies anti-R. conorii and anti-A. phagocitophilum by IFI in two dogs with clinical rickettsiosis. IgG antibodies anti-R. conorii in a group of 77 dogs. CLINICAL CASES: a dog presented with fever, myalgias and melena, another dog with bleeding and neurological involvement. Seroprevalence: 35% of the dogs had antibodies against Rickettsia. DISCUSSION: This is the first evidence of canine rickettsiosis in Chile, both clinical and serological. Co-infection with two tickborne agents: Rickettsia and Anaplasma, is documented. Molecular studies are needed to confirm the rickettsial species present in Chile. The zoonotic role of these infections must be also studied.

Evidencia clínica y serológica de rickettsiosis canina en Chile / Clinical and serological evidence of canine rickettsiosis in Chile

En Chile, no se han documentado infecciones por Rickettsias en mascotas; algunas de ellas tienen importante potencial zoonótico. Objetivos: Reportar dos casos de rickettsiosis canina con confirmación serológica y determinar seroprevalencia de Rickettsia sp un grupo de caninos. Métodos: IgG anti-Rickettsia conorii y anti-Anaplasma phagocitophilum por IFI en dos caninos con cuadro clínico sugerente de rickettsiosis. Determinación de IgG anti-R. conorii en 77 caninos. Resultados: Como casos clínicos hubo un canino con fiebre, mialgias y melena y otro con manifestaciones he-morrágicas y compromiso neurológico. Seroprevalencia: 35% de los caninos presentaban IgG anti-Rickettsia. Discusión: Se reporta por primera vez en Chile la presencia de rickettsiosis canina, tanto clínica como serológica. Se documenta co-infección por Rickettsia y Anaplasma, dos agentes transmitidos por garrapatas. Es necesario realizar estudios de biología molecular para confirmar la especie de rickettsia presente en Chile. Además, debe estudiarse el rol zoonótico de estas infecciones en nuestro medio.

Rickettsial infections in pets have not been documented in Chile. Some of those infections have relevant zoonotic potential. Objectives: To report two serologically confirmed cases of canine rickettsiosis. To determine seroprevalence to Rickettsia sp in a group of dogs. Methods: IgG antibodies anti-R. conorii and anti-A. phagocitophilum by IFI in two dogs with clinical rickettsiosis. IgG antibodies anti-R. conorii in a group of 77 dogs. Results: Clinical cases: a dog presented with fever, myalgias and melena, another dog with bleeding and neurological involvement. Seroprevalence: 35% of the dogs had antibodies against Rickettsia. Discussion: This is the first evidence of canine rickettsiosis in Chile, both clinical and serological. Co-infection with two tickborne agents: Rickettsia and Anaplasma, is documented. Molecular studies are needed to confirm the rickettsial species present in Chile. The zoonotic role of these infections must be also studied.

Recomendaciones para el manejo de mordeduras ocasionadas por animales / Guidelines for management of animal bites

Las mordeduras producidas por animales domésticos, silvestres o mascotas exóticas, son un problema que no está bien dimensionado en nuestro medio; sin embargo, representan un motivo de consulta frecuente. Se revisa la epidemiología, enfrentamiento inicial y recomendaciones para el manejo de mordeduras ocasionadas por perros y gatos; por la gran importancia que han ido adquiriendo en el último tiempo se revisan las mordeduras producidas por hámsters, ratones, conejos, hurones, perros de la pradera, simios, murciélagos, aves, iguanas y animales de granja.

[Guidelines for management of animal bites]. / Recomendaciones para el manejo de mordeduras ocasionadas por animales.

Bites caused by pets or free living animal, including the so called exotic ones are a common cause of medical care request, although its real dimension has not been well defined in the local setting. This paper reviews the epidemiology of the topic placing emphasis in the initial approach and recommendations for the management of dog and cat bites. Due to increasing ownership or contact with other animals, management of bites from hamsters, mice, ferrets, rabbits, prairie dogs, monkeys, bats, lizards and bird bites is also discussed.