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.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in immunocompromised patients

Occult hepatitis B infection is characterized by hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We assessed occult HBV infection prevalence in two groups of immunocompromised patients (maintenance hemodialysis patients and HIV-positive patients) presenting HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc positive serological patterns, co-infected or not by HCV. Thirty-four hemodialysis anti-HIV negative patients, 159 HIV-positive patients and 150 blood donors who were anti-HBc positive (control group) were selected. HBV-DNA was detected by nested-PCR. Occult hepatitis B infection was not observed in the hemodialysis patients group but was found in 5 percent of the HIV-patients and in 4 percent of the blood donors. Immunosuppression in HIV positive patients was not a determining factor for occult HBV infection. In addition, no significant relationship between HBV-DNA and HCV co-infection in the HIV-positive patient group was found. A lack of significant associations was also observed between positivity for HBV-DNA and CD4 count, viral load and previous lamivudine treatment in these HIV-positive patients.