 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-publication Peer Reviews to:
|
|
![[Read P3R]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif){kind=icon}
Dangers of rodent pets
LCMV..unrecognized zoonosis
History Taking; Pets
Infectious disease risks of animals
|
|
|||
|
Cory Mermer, Researcher/Writer
Send letter to journal:
cmermer{at}aol.com Cory Mermer
|
The case report and discussion of LCMV by Barton et al was excellent and in my mind a little unsettling. This is because of the prevalence of mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs as pets, not only in the home, but also in almost every preschool and elementary school in the nation. Is this putting our children at risk unnecessarily? What about if the virus is brought home from school and pregnant mothers are exposed, possibly leading to intrauterine infection? I am sure that most parents and teachers are unaware of even the existence of LCMV and it's potentially serious consequences. Additionally, for class pets, in today's litigious society, the legal ramifications must also be taken into account. If someone suffers serious complications as a result of exposure to the virus from a class pet, it is very possible the school or school system will be found to be liable. Clearly pets do have positive impacts, especially with young children, such as helping to foster a sense of responsibility. However, the benefits must be balanced against the possible risks, however small, of serious neurological damage and even death, from LCMV and possibly other viruses as well. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
leslie l barton, MD University of Arizona, n joanne hyndman
Send letter to journal:
llb{at}peds.arizona.edu leslie l barton, et al.
|
We thank the letter's author for thoughtful comments. While we agree that pets have both psychological and physical benefits, they-as are virtually all good things-not without risk. Although the transmission of LCMV to humans may take place by direct contact with infected animal excreta and via aerosols, simple handwashing and wetting of surfaces to be swept, may minimalize the risk of infection. Human-to-human postnatal transmission has, incidentally, never been documented. Furthermore, the distribution of LCMV is highly variable within mouse populations and remains inadequately studied in these animals, as well as in hamsters and guinea pigs. The dual needs for further research, in addition to education of the public (and medical professionals) of the potential hazards of direct contact with infected rodents are obvious. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Marc Berg, Critical Care U of Utah
Send letter to journal:
marc.berg{at}hsc.utah.edu Marc Berg
|
As an aside, having been a chief resident for Dr. Barton, I can attest that she asks [specific] questions regarding pets in the home during her history taking. I guess in addition to cats (Bartonella) and birds (Chlamydia) and fish (pseudomonas) we must condsider rodents after reading this interesting article. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
leslie barton, MD..Prof of Peds Univ of AZ
Send letter to journal:
llb{at}peds.arizona.edu leslie barton
|
We thank Dr Berg for his comments demonstrating,as always, his astuteness and retention of lessons well-learned! We would emphasize that our article underscores the importance of investigation of all animal contact,whether direct or indirect,pet or feral, inside the house or without. |
|||
 |
||
|
||
Home | My Pediatrics | Journal Information | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscriptions & Services | Contact Us Click here for faster international access © 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved. |
||
|
||
P3Rs: