cystic fibrosis: cat and transplantation

Question

Hello,

I am recently living in a flat with my cystic fibrosis and 3 years ago transplanted husband.
We want to acquire a cat and I would like to know if it is dangerous for his health.

Answer

Hello,
Cats can transmit infectious diseases like toxoplasmosis or cat’s claws disease. Toxoplasmosis can be dangerous in two cases: for immunosupressed patients (as transplanted patient) and pregnant women. Recommendations from various transplantation centers range from complete abandonment over permission under strict hygienic rules to endorsement of pets after transplantation. Scientific data supporting any of these recommendations is however lacking. If certain hygienic rules are taken into account, such as e.g. hand hygiene, avoiding cleaning the litter boxes, regular veterinary controls, feeding rules etc. the risk for the transplanted person can be minimized when living together with a pet like a dog or cat, for example. However, holding of animals like birds, reptiles and those which are kept in aquariums has to be discouraged as those bear a greater risk for transplanted and especially for lung-transplanted CF patients. Detailed recommendations from the American Centers for Disease Control can be found in English under the following link: www.cdc.gov/healthypets/bonemarrow_transplant.htm
Furthermore, a study from a swiss transplantation center could show that those transplant recipients who had a pet did not show an increased rate of medical complications but a higher quality of life compared to recipients without pets. So in summary, the risk for a transplanted patient when having a cat cannot completely be eliminated but under certain rules can be minimized so that there is no reason to discourage you in general from your wish of holding a cat. Of course it would be useful to discuss this topic also with your husband’s doctor who knows all about his medical history and potential problems.
Sincerely yours
Dr. Isabelle Danner-Boucher and Dr. Daniela d‘Alquen
Ref
Irani S, Mahler C, Goetzmann L et al. Lung transplant recipients holding companion animals: impact on physical health and quality of life. Am J Transplant 2006; 6: 404-411”

02.05.2012