Zoonoses in companion animals SDL Flashcards
Describe the lifecycles of toxoplasmosis
Cats (definitive host) shed oocysts in faeces
oocysts sporulate in environment => infective
intermediate hosts (e.g., humans, rodents) eat contaminated soil, water or undercooked meat
Tachyzoites multiply in tissues - bradyzoites form cysts in muscles/brain
Describe the transmission of toxoplasmosis
ingestion of contaminated food/water
direct contact with cat faeces
vertical transmission
Describe the clinical signs of toxoplasmosis
Cats:
- asymptomatic mostly
- lethargy
- anorexia
- D+
Humans:
- flu like symptoms
- asymptomatic
- severe encephalitis or systemic disease (immunocompromised)
How can toxoplasmosis be prevented from infecting humans?
avoid cleaning litter boxes ore use gloves/masks
ensure good hand hygiene
keep cat indoors
avoid raw/undercooked meat
What are the effects of toxoplasmosis on pregnancy?
early stage: severe, including miscarriage
late stage: congenital toxoplasmosis with neurological or ocular damage
Describe the transmission of giardiasis and its effect in humans
via contaminated water or faeces
causes D+ in humans
Describe the transmission of cryptosporidiosis
spread through faecal-oral route, especially contaminated water
Describe the transmission of toxocariasis
ingestion of eggs from contaminated soil or faeces => visceral/ocular larva migrans
Describe the transmission of salmonellosis and its effect on humans
faecal-oral transmission
can cause severe D+ in humans, especially children
What are the possible zoonoses that can be related to D+ in a kitten?
giardiasis
cryptosporidiosis
toxocariasis
salmonellosis
Describe the lifecycle of giardiasis
Infective stage - cysts ingested through contaminated water, food or faeces
Excystation - cysts release trophozoites in host SI
Trophozoites - attach to intestinal lining, multiply via binary fission => D+ and malabsorption
Encystation - trophozoites encyst before leaving host, cysts shed in faeces
Describe the lifecycle of cryptosporidiosis
Describe the lifecycle of toxocariasis
Describe the lifecycle of salmonellosis
Describe the lifecycle of campylobacteriosis
How is campylobacteriosis transmitted?
contaminated water, faeces or raw food => severe D+ in humans
What are the main helminth species of cats and dogs?
Describe the ancylostoma caninum (dog hookworm) lifecycle
Describe the lifecycle of echinococcus granulosus (hyatid tapeworm)
Describe the lifecycle of dipylidium canibnum (flea tapeworm)
Why is preventative deworming ok?
due to high zoonotic risks and difficulty in detecting subclinical infections
Describe the diseases caused by cat scratches and fleas
What are potential contaminants of a raw diet
salmonella
campylobacter
E. coli
