Cat-To-Human Skin Diseases: What You Need To Know

Cats are wonderful pets, but they can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. These diseases are called zoonotic diseases, and they can range from self-limited skin conditions to life-threatening systemic illnesses. While the likelihood of an average person contracting a zoonotic disease from a cat is low, individuals with immature or weakened immune systems are more susceptible. This includes infants, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems due to conditions like AIDS or cancer chemotherapy. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from cats to humans and provide preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection.

Ringworm

Cats with ringworm will often have small areas of hair loss around their ears, face, or legs, with scaly or crusty skin. However, some cats carrying ringworm have no signs of infection at all. Kittens are most commonly affected.

In humans, ringworm often appears as a round, red, itchy lesion with a ring of scales around the edge. It can appear on almost any area of the body, including the scalp, feet, groin, or beard. Ringworm infections in humans are usually itchy and may cause redness, scaling, and cracking of the skin. If the infection involves the scalp or beard, hair may fall out.

To prevent ringworm, it is important to maintain good hygiene, including washing hands before eating and after handling pets, and avoiding contact with infected animals. Keeping cats indoors and feeding them cooked or commercially processed food can also help reduce the risk of ringworm.

Cat scratch disease

Cat-scratch disease, also known as cat-scratch fever, is a bacterial infection caused by the Bartonella henselae bacterium, which is carried in cat saliva. Cats can get these bacteria from fleas or their droppings. Kittens younger than one year are more likely to have the bacteria in their saliva and are also more playful and more likely to scratch or bite, increasing the risk of infection from younger cats.

Cat-scratch disease is transmitted by cat scratches, bites, or flea bites. It can also be spread through contact with cat saliva on broken skin or mucosal surfaces like the nose, mouth, and eyes. A cat licking an open wound can also cause the disease.

People with cat-scratch disease usually develop a bump or blister at the site of the bite or scratch, which is usually the first sign. Lymph nodes in the region of the wound may swell and become painful, and affected individuals may experience fever, headache, sore muscles and joints, fatigue, and poor appetite.

Healthy adults generally recover with no lasting effects, but it may take several months for the disease to go away completely. People with compromised immune systems may suffer more severe consequences, including infections of the eyes, brain, and heart. Severe cases of cat-scratch disease may require antibiotic therapy to resolve. Antibiotics that may be used include azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

To prevent cat-scratch disease, it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after playing with your cat and to wash any bites or scratches thoroughly. It is also recommended to avoid rough play with cats and to keep their nails trimmed to reduce scratches. Additionally, flea control measures should be implemented to lower the risk of cats developing the disease.

Toxoplasmosis

In addition to the physical health effects, toxoplasmosis has been linked to changes in human behaviour. Several studies have correlated T. gondii infections with impulsive and risky behaviour, as well as a higher risk of car accidents, mental health issues, substance abuse disorders, and suicide. It has been hypothesised that the parasite influences its host's behaviour to increase the likelihood of being eaten by a cat, thus assuring its survival and propagation. For example, studies have shown that rats infected with T. gondii lose their fear of cats and are even attracted by their scent.

Basic hygiene practices can prevent the spread of Toxoplasma from cats to humans. This includes wearing gloves when handling potentially contaminated material, such as when gardening or cleaning a litter box, and always washing your hands afterwards. It is also recommended to cover children's sandboxes when they are not in use to prevent cats from defecating in them.

Salmonella

The most common type of salmonella is where the cat remains healthy with no clinical signs but still has bacteria in their gut and is contagious to other pets and people. Salmonella can affect a cat of any age and any breed, but young or older cats have immature or weakened immune systems that are more susceptible. Cats that are on antibiotics tend to be more at risk of developing signs from salmonella due to the lack of healthy bacteria in their gut.

Humans most commonly get salmonella from consuming contaminated food, but it is also possible for cats to spread salmonellosis to humans, even if the cat is not currently showing any signs of illness (asymptomatic carrier). The spread is caused by a human ingesting infected stool or saliva after a cat spreads the bacterium into the home. Microscopic bacteria can be left behind after your cat sits on the rug or your bed. You then come into contact with it and become infected.

Salmonellosis usually resolves on its own, but in severe cases, antibiotics are required. The prognosis is excellent unless the infection spreads to the bloodstream, in which case the prognosis is guarded.

Salmonellosis is caused by an overabundance of Salmonella bacteria in the intestines. Most cats are asymptomatic carriers of the bacteria. The most common routes for exposure to Salmonella in cats are ingestion of contaminated raw meat and contact with surfaces contaminated with the faeces of other infected animals. Commercially processed cat foods are safe, but cats that are fed a raw diet or homemade food can contract salmonellosis from undercooked meat or other ingredients.

The prognosis in mild to moderate cases is excellent. The prognosis is more guarded for cats with severe or systemic salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is a contagious disease that spreads through faecal contamination. Most animal species are at risk, including humans. There are no proven preventive measures for salmonellosis. Strategies to reduce the risk include regular veterinary check-ups, keeping cats indoors, feeding commercially produced cat food, and avoiding feeding raw food diets.

Campylobacter

The bacteria are spread through contaminated food (meat and eggs), water, or contact with the stool of infected animals. Cats infected with Campylobacter may show no signs of illness at all or may have diarrhoea. Younger cats, or those already in poor health, are more likely to experience more severe symptoms.

Symptoms of Campylobacteriosis include:

• Watery or bile-streaked stool
• Tenesmus or frequent stool
• Anorexia or low appetite
• Inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes

The most common type of Campylobacteriosis that causes intestinal disease in cats is C jejuni, which is also considered one of the most likely to infect humans.

Diagnosis of Campylobacteriosis involves a fecal culture or a Fecal PCR test, which requires a fresh stool sample. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and may include antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and analgesics.

To prevent the spread of Campylobacteriosis, proper cleaning and disinfecting of the cat's living and eating areas are important. It is also recommended to routinely disinfect the cat's water and food bowls.

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