SARS-CoV-2 host diversity: An update of natural infections and experimental evidence

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now a pandemic threat. This virus is supposed to be spread by human to human transmission. Cellular angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the receptor of SARS-CoV-2 which is identical or similar in different species of animals such as pigs, ferrets, cats, orangutans, monkeys, and humans. Moreover, a recent study predicted that dogs might be secondary hosts during the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 from bat to human. Therefore, there is a possibility of spreading SARS-CoV-2 through domestic pets. There are now many reports of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases in dogs, cats, tigers, lion, and minks. Experimental data showed ferrets and cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 as infected by virus inoculation and can transmit the virus directly or indirectly by droplets or airborne routes. Based on these natural infection reports and experimental data, whether the pets are responsible for SARS-CoV-2 spread to humans; needs to be deeply investigated. Humans showing clinical symptoms of respiratory infections have been undergoing for the COVID-19 diagnostic test but many infected people and few pets confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 remained asymptomatic. In this review, we summarize the natural cases of SARS-CoV-2 in animals with the latest researches conducted in this field. This review will be helpful to think insights of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions, spread, and demand for seroprevalence studies, especially in companion animals.     

Allergen avoidance in the secondary and tertiary prevention of allergic diseases: does it work?

Although allergen avoidance is widely recommended as part of a secondary and tertiary prevention strategy for allergic diseases, a clear-cut demonstration of its effectiveness is still lacking. Ongoing observational secondary prevention cohorts show that sensitisation to mite can be prevented in the short term by allergen avoidance measures, but further follow-up of these children is needed to show if this effect can be sustained, as well as to ascertain its impact on allergic disease. More well-designed trials are still required before we can give any conclusive advice to our patients. Considering the management of allergy, current evidence suggests that interventions in children (either single or multifaceted) may be associated with some beneficial effect on asthma control, but no conclusive evidence exists regarding rhinitis or eczema. Conversely, there is little evidence to support the recommendation of allergen avoidance methods in adults with asthma and rhinitis. There is a need for an adequately designed trial assessing the effects of a multifaceted intervention in this age group.     

Bronchial asthma and wheeze in a desert country

A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted among school children (3300), aged 7–12 years, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the period January, 1988–February, 1990. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between asthma, allergic rhinitis, wheeze and eczema among Saudi school children. The relationship between pet-ownership and respiratory allergy was also studied. Detailed information was collected about wheeze and asthma in 3041 children and history of asthma and allergic rhinitis in their parents. The population sample had a high prevalence rate of diagnosed asthma (6.8%), history of wheeze (10.5%), allergic rhinitis (17.9%), and eczema (10.8%). Allergic rhinitis was the most frequently seen respiratory illness when compared to other respiratory symptoms. The prevalence rate of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among parents reflected the same pattern as that seen in the children. Prevalence rate for asthma in children with pets is twice that of children without pets (OR:2.4; 95%, Cl:1.8–3.1). The odds of having chronic cough (OR:3.9; 95%, Cl:2.8–5.2), chronic wheeze (OR:4.2; 95%, 3.3–5.4), allergic rhinitis (OR:8.0; 95% Cl:6.3–10.3) and eczema (OR:2.8:95 Cl:2.1–3.7) was higher in children with pets than in children without pets. The present study revealed that petownership was associated with increased respiratory symptoms.     

Eosinophilic meningitis in a child raising snails as pets

The rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) is the principal cause of eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis worldwide. It is endemic in Taiwan and the Asia Pacific area. We report the case of a 10-year-old boy who was referred to us suffering from intermittent headache, low-grade fever and blurred vision of 4-5 days' duration. He had been treated for gastroenteritis just prior to referral. The patient's history was unremarkable, except that he raised snail (Ampullarium canaliculatus) as pet at home. On physical examination, the patient's consciousness was alert and well oriented. No papilledema was found on fundal examination. The neurological examination revealed normal cranial nerve function, mild weakness of both lower limbs and normal deep tendon reflexes, but positive Babinski and Kernig signs. Laboratory findings showed peripheral eosinophilia, elevated immunoglobulin E level, cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilic pleocytosis and the presence of stage 3 A. cantonensis larvae, which confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis. A 2-week course of mebendazole combined the glucocorticosteroids was beneficial in relieving headache, paresthesia and the other eosinophilic meningitis symptoms in the patient.     

Risk factors associated with bronchial asthma in school going children of rural Haryana

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common illnesses in children. Factors influencing development of asthma have not been studied in rural population. 2000 school going children from five schools of Chhainsa and Dayalpur Primary Health Centre area in Ballabgarh Block of Haryana state were screened for presence of symptoms of asthma using a questionnaire suggested by International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Children (ISSAC). 40 children were identified as cases of bronchial asthma. For each child with asthma two age and sex matched nonasthmatic controls were selected from the study population. History, clinical examination and in-depth interview were carried out for all cases and controls. Factors associated with presence of symptoms of asthma on multivariate analysis were passive smoking (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.85–7.65), pets at home (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.04–29.15), and absence of windows in living rooms (OR 4.03, 95% CI 1.17–13.79). Factors such as family history of asthma, history of worm infestation, fuel used for cooking, location of kitchen and food allergy were not significant on statistical analysis. Thus, passive smoking, inadequate ventilation and pets (dogs and cats) at home are significant risk factors associated with presence of symptoms of asthma in rural children.     

Multiple sclerosis and exposure to house pets during childhood and adolescence: a case—control study

Multiple sclerosis (MS) might be triggered by an infectious agent early in life. In a case–control study, we compared exposure to household pets for the age periods 0–5, 6–10, 11–15 and 16–20 years in 100 patients with MS and 100 controls. Exposure to household dogs between the ages of 0–10 years was associated with an increased risk of MS [odds ratio 1.9 (95% CI 1.1–3.5)]; the association was strongest between the ages of 0–5 years [odds ratio 2.7 (1.4–5.0)]. Exposure to household dogs between the ages of 10–20 years was not significantly different between cases and controls. Risk of MS was not significantly associated with household exposure to cats, caged small birds or other pets. Our results suggest that exposure to household dogs in the first decade of life—in particular the first 5 years of life—is associated with an increase in the risk of MS.     

Avoidance of allergens as an environmental method in the prevention of inhaled allergy symptoms

Asthma and other inhaled allergies are some of the most common paediatric diseases. The association of exposure to allergens with induction and exacerbation of symptoms has been proven. The majority of allergens are permanently or periodically suspended in the air, which leads to impaired quality of life for sensitive patients. Therefore, many methods of prevention and therapy of allergic diseases have been developed. The method of allergen exposure avoidance is often the first and the most significant measure. The present research has been conducted to evaluate, based on scientific data, which measures have the most reliable evidence of effectiveness. Environmental allergen avoidance methods, despite limited evidence supporting their clinical efficacy, are listed as the main therapeutic approaches in most recommendations. The significance of the holistic approach is also emphasised: only simultaneous introduction of several avoidance methods can bring possibly beneficial effects for the patient.     

Healthy Pets: Web Sites to Help You Make Wise Health Care Decisions for Your Pet

ABSTRACT

As the number of pets and pet owners continues to increase in the United States, more and more people are becoming consumers of health information for their pets. Although the veterinarian continues to be the primary source of medical information for pet owners, many are turning to the Internet to begin their search for information or to find additional information that will assist them in making health care decisions about their pets. The types and quality of information available on the Internet about a pet's health varies greatly, and it is imperative that the pet owner finds high quality, unbiased, and up-to-date information in order to make wise decisions. This article briefly reviews the types of sites available and presents examples of high quality sites for the savvy pet owner.