First Case of Zoonotic Transmission of Streptococcus equi Subspecies zooepidemicus From Cat to Human

Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus is a pathogen of veterinary interest that causes disease in horses, pigs, and dogs and is recognized as an emerging cause of feline respiratory disease. Human zoonotic disease is rare but can occur in patients who are taking care of horses and via consumption of unpasteurized animal products. We describe a case of soft tissue infection and bacteremia in an elderly patient who had contact with a cat presenting respiratory symptoms and was treated with antibiotics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of cat-to-human transmission of Streptococcus zooepidemicus.