Surveillance of Zoonotic Parasites in Animals Involved in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs).

Giulia Simonato,Mario Pietrobelli,Patrizia Danesi,Daniela Pasotto,Giorgia Dotto,Antonio Frangipane Di Regalbono,Cinzia Tessarin

doi:10.3390/ijerph17217914

Abstract

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are based on the establishment of a therapeutic relationship between animals and beneficiaries that is certain to provide positive effects, while currently, it reads as if AAIs aim at exposing stakeholders to potential risk of infection. The surveillance of zoonotic pathogens is necessary for guaranteeing common health. This study investigated the presence of potentially zoonotic parasites, including dermatophytes, in animals involved in AAIs. Between 2015 and 2017, 190 animals (equids, dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, rodents, and goats) were investigated. Anamnestic and management data were recorded. Individual faecal samples were analysed using a copromicroscopic procedure. Fur and skin were examined for ectoparasites during clinical examinations, and samples for mycological investigation were collected by brushing. Parasites were described in 60 (31.6%) investigated animals. Thirteen out of the 60 (21.7%) animals harboured potentially zoonotic parasites, mainly recovered in dogs (Ancylostomatidae, Eucoleus aerophilus, Toxocara canis, and Giardia duodenalis) and a cat (G. duodenalis). Nannizzia gypsea and Paraphyton mirabile, potential agents of cutaneous mycosis, were isolated in a dog and a horse, respectively. No ectoparasites were found. AAIs might represent a source of infections either directly or via environmental contamination. Thus, active surveillance is necessary and animal screenings should be planned and scheduled according to the risk of exposure.

Highlights

The positive impact of pets on the health of owners and people involved in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) has been extensively documented [1,2]
The Italian national guidelines (2015) for Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) of the Italian Ministry of Health describe three different typologies of interventions, i.e., animal-assisted activity (AAA), animal-assisted education (AAE), and animal-assisted therapy (AAT), that include professionals with growing expertise and whereby animals are coming into increasingly close contact with people/patients [8]
This study describes preliminary data on the presence of potentially zoonotic parasites in various animal species working in AAIs in different settings; in particular, the first aim of the project was to evaluate if zoonotic parasites could circulate in clinically healthy animals and, if present, open a point of discussion in order to improve the Italian guidelines, currently in use

Summary

Introduction

The positive impact of pets on the health of owners and people involved in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) has been extensively documented [1,2]. The Italian national guidelines (2015) for AAIs of the Italian Ministry of Health describe three different typologies of interventions, i.e., animal-assisted activity (AAA), animal-assisted education (AAE), and animal-assisted therapy (AAT), that include professionals with growing expertise and whereby animals are coming into increasingly close contact with people/patients [8]. To date, these guidelines have provided some general criteria for ensuring that AAIs are correctly and evenly. Public Health 2020, 17, 7914; doi:10.3390/ijerph17217914 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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