Zoonoses (overview) A20-28

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

Last updated on: 12.10.2024

Definition
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Zoonoses are all infectious diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi, prions or viruses that can be transmitted reciprocally between animals and humans. When transmitted from animals to humans, they are referred to as zooanthroponosis, when transmitted from humans to animals as anthropozoonosis. About 200 diseases are known. Around 200 diseases are known.

A zoonosis is therefore an infectious disease that can affect both humans and animals.

Exceptions are pathogens that occur in the environment and reach humans via food contamination.

In the case of "direct (ortho-) zoonosis", infection occurs through direct contact or through a mechanical vector from one vertebrate to another (e.g. scabies transmission from human to human).

Epizoonoses are parasitoses of the skin caused by arthropods, e.g. diseases caused by lice, mites, ticks, etc.

Pathogen
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The actual zoonotic agents are pathogens that are not restricted to one host but can cause infection (with or without clinically manifest disease) in several hosts, including humans.

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Classification
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Dermatologically relevant viral zoonoses:
Colorado tick fever (transmitted by Dermatocentor andersoni [tick])
Lassa fever (see below fever, hemorrhagic)
picornaviruses: picornaviruses:
- Foot-and-mouth disease, real
DNA viruses:
- herpes simplex diseases
Poxviruses:
orthopox viruses:
- Camel Pox
- Cowpox
molluscipox virus:
- contagious mollusc
Parapoxviruses:
- Ecthyma contagiosum (Orf)
- Milking knots (pseudo-cowpox)
Dermatologically relevant bacterial zoonoses:
- Bartonelless:
  - Cat scratch disease
  - Other Bartonella infections
- Lyme D iseases:
  - Lyme borreliosis
  - relapsing fever
- Brucellosis
- Chlamydioses:
  - psittacosis/ornithose
  - other zoonoses caused by Chlamydia
- Leptospirosis
- Listeriosis
- Malleus (snot)
- Melioidosis (Pseudorotz)
- Anthrax of the skin
- Mycobacterioses:
  - Infections with Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis complex, see below tuberculosis cutis)
  - Mycobacterioses, atypical (e.g. swimming pool granuloma)
- Plague
- Rat Bite Disease
- Rickettsiosis:
  - American tick-bite fever (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever)
  - Mediterranean fever (Fièvre boutonneuse) and other "spotted fever" diseases
  - epidemic typhus
  - murine typhus
  - Rickettsialpox
  - Tsutsugamushi fever
- Bartonellosis:
  - Q fever
  - Verruga peruana (Oroya fever)
- Erysipeloid
- Staphylococcal infections ( Impetigo contagiosa)
- Streptococcus infections ( Impetigo contagiosa)
Mycotic zoonoses of dermatological relevance:
- Dermatomycoses (trichophyton species, microspores)
- System mycoses:
  - Sporotrichosis
  - Cryptococcosis (pigeon droppings)
  - Histoplasmosis (pigeon droppings)
Dermatologically relevant diseases caused by protozoa:
- Chagas disease (South American trypanosomosis)
- leishmaniasis:
  - Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar)
  - Cutaneous leishmaniasis of the old world
  - American skin and mucous membrane leishmaniasis (Espundia and related forms)
- Toxoplasmosis
Dermatologically relevant diseases caused by trematodes:
- Cercarial dermatitis
- Other trematode infections
- Dracunculosis (dracontiasis, medina worm infection)
- Filariasis (filariasis)
- Larva migrans (skin mole, creeping eruption)
- Strongyloidosis (Strongyloidiasis)
- Trichinosis
Dermatologically relevant diseases caused by arthropods:
- Insect bites (mosquitoes, flies, bees, wasps, etc.)
- Myiasis (Larva migrans)
- Diseases caused by fleas ( flea bite)
- Tungiasis
- Diseases caused by mites
- Diseases caused by bugs (Heteroptera: bed bugs, predatory bugs)
- diseases caused by ticks:
  - Tick bite

Occurrence/Epidemiology
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The incidence and prevalence of most zoonoses is difficult to estimate. Many zoonoses remain undiagnosed. For most zoonoses there is still no obligation to notify. In general, the more frequent and the more direct contact with animals, the greater the chance of contracting a zoonosis (e.g. in certain professions such as veterinarians or farmers).

Etiopathogenesis
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Zoonotic agents are bacteria, viruses, parasites or other biological entities that can cause a zoonosis.

Prophylaxis
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Anyone who comes into contact with animals or their products can be exposed to infection. In principle, infections from animals to humans are avoided by the same methods as for interpersonal infections. In animal husbandry, hygiene (clean stables and enclosures, cleaning of hands, disinfection (such as cooking and ironing) of textiles) is the most important measure.

Note(s)
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Zoonoses pose a constant risk to humans. In addition to live animals, food in particular can be a carrier of zoonotic agents. Zoonotic agents that have already been successfully controlled in Europe can be reintroduced at any time (such as brucellosis). There is a risk of new zoonoses occurring due to the global spread of zoonotic agents that were originally restricted to certain regions. There are many causes for the re-emergence and re-emergence of zoonoses:

Worldwide tourism and animal trade
Human penetration into new geographical and ecological areas
Introduction and distribution of exotic and other animal species to the human population
Changes in animal husbandry and animal feeding
changes in consumption habits and the production or preparation of food
Hygiene conditions with close contact between humans and animals
Genetic modification of pathogens.