executive director of the Stanley Medical
Research Institute in Chevy Chase,
Maryland. Dr. Robert H. Yolken is the
director of the Stanley Laboratory of
Developmental Neurovirology at Johns
Hopkins University Medical Center in
Baltimore. They are the co-authors of
"Beasts of the Earth: Animals, Humans
and Disease."
(CNN) -- Cat poop could be a "vast and
underappreciated" public health problem,
according to Drs. E. Fuller Torrey and
Robert H. Yolken.
The pair on Tuesday published a paper on
the dangers of Toxoplasma oocysts, which
are found in cat poop, in the journal
Trends in Parasitology.
In the journal article, Torrey and Yolken
call for better control of the feral cat
population and more research on the
parasites. In the meantime, CNN asked
the doctors how we can keep our families
safe. Torrey and Yolken responded to the
questions via e-mail.
CNN: We've heard that cat poop can be
dangerous for pregnant women. Should
other people be wary, too?
Drs. E. Fuller Torrey and
Robert H. Yolken: It is true
that some cat poop contains
Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite
for which cats and other
felines are the definitive
host. This parasite can affect
the fetus if a woman
becomes infected while
pregnant. That is why
pregnant women are warned
against changing cat litter.
It's also well-known that
Toxoplasma gondii can cause
major brain infections in
individuals with AIDS and
other conditions associated
with immune deficiency.
Chain of cat feces can harm
humans, sea otters
So what's new? Recent
studies suggest that
individuals with disorders
such as schizophrenia,
obsessive-compulsive disorder,
rheumatoid arthritis or brain tumors are
more likely to have Toxoplasma gondii
antibodies than other people. There are
also suggestions that Toxoplasma gondii
can affect memory and other cognitive
function in people who are not otherwise
ill. In no way have we established
Toxoplasma gondii as a cause of these
disorders, but it has led us to rethink the
possible risks of cat poop.
CNN: How big of a risk are we talking
about?
Torrey and Yolken: There are an
estimated 82 million owned cats and
another 25 million to 60 million feral cats
in the United States, and their numbers
have increased markedly in recent years.
Based on studies done in California, it is
estimated that these cats deposit 1.2
million tons of cat poop into the
environment each year. At any given
time, approximately 1% of cats are
infected with Toxoplasma gondii.
The infective form of Toxoplasma gondii
deposited in cat poop are called oocysts;
a single infected cat can deposit millions
of oocysts, each of which may survive in
moist soil for 18 months or longer. It's
thought that it only takes one oocyst to
infect a human, which is concerning.
CNN: So what can people do to protect
themselves?
Torrey and Yolken: It is important to
note that cats that are always kept
indoors are usually not a problem. Almost
all cats that become infected, and thus
deposit infective oocysts, are outdoor
cats. Keep in mind cats are no respecters
of property lines so a neighbor's cat could
deposit Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in your
garden or children's play areas.
Weird science: Kitty litter increases risk of
suicide?
To stay safe, follow these suggestions:
• Cat litter should be properly disposed of
in the garbage, not flushed down the
toilet where it can enter rivers and lakes.
• Children's sandboxes and play areas
should be covered when not in use. Cats
selectively relieve themselves in areas
with loose soil or sand. In the studies we
reviewed, we found very high
concentrations of Toxoplasma gondii
oocysts in these areas. If a sandbox has
not been covered, the sand should be
replaced and then kept covered.
• Gardeners should wear gloves since
gardens are another favorite place for cats
to relieve themselves. One study
reported that gardeners may have as
many as 100 oocysts in dirt under their
fingernails.
• Vegetables from gardens should be
thoroughly washed.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/09/health/expertqa-cat-poop-risks/index.html?hpt=he_c1
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