Zoonoses (overview) A20-28

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

Last updated on: 21.11.2024

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 [shield tick])
Lassa fever (see below fever, hemorrhagic)
Picornaviruses:
- Foot-and-mouth disease, true
DNA viruses:
- Herpes simplex diseases
Poxviruses:
Orthopoxviruses:
- Camelpox
- cowpox
Molluscipoxvirus:
- Molluscum contagiosum
Parapoxviruses:
- Ecthyma contagiosum (Orf)
- Milker's nodules (pseudo cowpox)

Dermatologically relevant bacterial zoonoses:

Bartonellosis:
- Cat scratch disease
- Other Bartonella infections
Lyme disease:
- Lyme borreliosis
- Relapsing fever
Brucellosis
Chlamydioses:
- Psittacosis/Ornithosis
- other zoonoses caused by chlamydia
leptospirosis
listeriosis
Malleus (glanders)
Melioidosis (pseudorotz)
Anthrax (anthrax of the skin)
Mycobacterioses:
- Infections with Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis complex, see tuberculosis cutis below)
- Mycobacterioses, atypical (e.g. swimming pool granuloma)
Plague
Rat bite disease
Rickettsioses:
- American tick bite fever (Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
- Mediterranean fever (Fièvre boutonneuse) and other "spotted fever" diseases
- Epidemic spotted fever
- Murine spotted fever
- Rickettsial pox
- Tsutsugamushi fever
Bartonellosis:
- Q fever
- Verruga peruana (Oroya fever)
Neoehrlichiosis (bacterium Neoehrlichia mikurensis/carriers are shield ticks of the genus Ixodes)
Erysipeloid
Impetigo contagiosa (staphylococcal/streptococcal infections)
Dermatologically relevant mycotic zoonoses:

Dermatomycoses (Trichophyton species, microsporia)
System mycoses:
- Sporotrichosis
- Cryptococcosis (pigeon feces)
- 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 cutaneous and mucosal 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 bites)
- 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.