J Korean Med Assoc.  2004 Jun;47(6):527-534. 10.5124/jkma.2004.47.6.527.

Parasitic Zoonosis Transmitted by Pet Animals

• Shin SS

• KMID: 2065236
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2004.47.6.527

Abstract

The growing popularity of dogs and cats as pet animals in Korea, together with high rates of ascarid and hookworm infections among these animals, has resulted in widespread contamination of the soil with infective eggs and larvae in playgrounds and school yards. Several reports indicated that the prevalence of parasites in soil from playgrounds of kindergarten, elementary schools and residential areas in both urban and rural areas of Korea was as high as 33.3%. With several cases of ocular toxocariasis among Koreans being reported, larva migrans of young people caused by pet animal parasites should be recognized. Although rabies is by far the most dangerous zoonotic pathogen from dogs, children are more cornmonly exposed to various zoonotic parasites such as roundworms, hookworms or giardia originated from pet animals. Several parasites of dogs and cats that can be transmitted to pet owners are discussed.

Keyword

Zoonosis; Toxocara; Giardia; Sarcoptes; Larva migrans; Pet animals

MeSH Terms

Ancylostomatoidea
Animals*
Cats
Child
Dogs
Eggs
Giardia
Hookworm Infections
Humans
Korea
Larva
Larva Migrans
Ovum
Parasites
Prevalence
Rabies
Soil
Toxocara
Toxocariasis
Soil

Figure

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  Figure 1

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