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ROLE OF COLD-BLOODED ANIMALS AND NON-HUMAN PRIMATES IN TRANSMISSION OF ZOONOTIC DISEASES
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Role of cold-blooded animals in transmission of zoonotic diseases
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Zoonotic diseases which are transmitted from cold-blooded animals called as poikilothermic zoonoses.
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Cold-blooded animals like fishes, lizard, snakes, tortoise, turtle, toad and frog which are associated with human population act as reservoir hosts for many zoonotic diseases.
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Aquatic animals live within an environment of potential pathogens. In closed systems, however, the concentration of microorganisms may be amplified increasing the risk of human infection. Aquatic microorganisms associated with zoonotic infections are Aeromonas hydrophila, Atypical Mycobacteria (M. fortuitum, M. marinum, M. chelonian), Campylobacter spp., Edwardsiella tarda, Enteropathogenic E.coli, Enterotoxic E.coli, Erysipelothrix spp., Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio fluvialis, Yersinia enterocolitica.
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To avoid contraction of poikilothermic zoonotic diseases, the following measues should be followed
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Practice of proper hygiene.
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Hands should always be washed with an antimicrobial soap after handling cold-blooded animals or working in their environment.
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Any open wounds should be covered to prevent entry of pathogens.
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Immunosuppressed individuals should avoid exposure to potential pathogens.
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Person with ill health should not handle animals or their environment.
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If an injury does occur while handling an animal or working in its environment, proper first aid must be applied.
Table: Diseases transmitted from cold-blooded animals to man
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Cold-blooded animal
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Examples of zoonoses
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Fish
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Bacterial diseases: Erysipelothrix insidiosa , Salmonella, Closdtridium botulinum type E, Mycobacterium balnei (swimming pool granuloma), Mycobacterium xenopei, Mycobacterium platypoecilus, Listeria monocytogenes
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Parasitic disease: Diphyllobothrium latum
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Turtle and tortoise
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Bacterial diseases: Salmonellosis, yersiniosis, leptospirosis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella abortus
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Snakes
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Bacterial diseases: Brucella abortus, salmonellosis, yersiniosis, Leptospira ballum (snake as hibernating host)
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Viral diseases: Togaviridae (snake as over-wintering host), WEE
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Parasitic disease: Pentastomiosis
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Lizard
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Bacterial diseases: Salmonellosis, yersiniosis, Brucella abortus
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Protozoal diseases: Histoplasmosis, Leishmania adleri (by lizard inhabiting gerbils burrow)
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Parasitic disease: Trichinella spiralis
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Frogs and toads
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Bacterial disease: Brucella abortus
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Parasitic disease: Histoplasmosis
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Role of non-human primates in transmission of zoonotic diseases
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Participants