[Infections transmitted from cats and dogs]

Abstract

The risk of zoonose transmitted from cats and dogs has increased as these animals have been more and more included in family life to become real household members. This paper reviews the main bacterial, parasitic, viral and fungal infections that could be transmitted to humans by these pet animals in different situations. Although the risk of human disease is relatively low for most of the presented infections, its recognition is important to prevent some exposures, to apply correct prophylactic measures after bites, and to include these zoonoses in the differential diagnosis in case of illnesses that could have an infectious origin, particularly in immunocompromised patients.