RISK OF ZOONOTIC INFECTION WITH ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY IN PEDIATRIC
HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY PATIENTS
Abstract
Background: The benefits of human-animal interaction in healthcare are
widely accepted, and utilized to aid in stressors of illness. However,
risk of zoonotic infection from animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is less
well studied. Policies around AAT in pediatric hospitals, particularly
with regard to immunocompromised patients, vary widely due to lack of
evidence-based guidelines. Therefore, we aimed to identify zoonoses in
our hematology/oncology patients who received AAT. Procedure: We
retrospectively reviewed hematology/oncology patients admitted at UCSF
Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland between May 2018 and September 2019
that received AAT and compared this cohort to prior admissions starting
November 2013 when AAT was not received. Clinical outcomes including
length of stay, number of blood cultures, number of positive blood
cultures, organisms identified, and C. difficile infection were compared
for patient admissions where AAT was and was not received to determine
potential zoonotic infection. Results: A total of 666 admissions
occurred during the allotted time period including 310 admissions with
standard and 56 admissions with strict immune precautions. There was no
hospital acquired zoonotic bloodstream infection and no increase in C.
difficile infection in those with standard or strict immune precautions
receiving AAT compared to those admissions when not receiving AAT.
Conclusion: There was no increase in zoonotic infection in
immunocompromised pediatric hematology/oncology patients receiving AAT.
Though further validation is required, liberalization of hospital
infection control practice to allow AAT for immunocompromised pediatric
patients appears safe as long as routine hygienic practice is strictly
followed and patients monitored for potential increase in zoonotic
infection.