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Cool K, Gaudreault NN, Trujillo JD, Morozov I, McDowell CD, Bold D, Kwon T, Balaraman V, Assato P, Madden DW, Mantlo E, Souza-Neto J, Matias-Ferreyra F, Retallick J, Singh G, Schotsaert M, Carossino M, Balasuriya UBR, Wilson WC, Pogranichniy RM, García-Sastre A, Richt JA. Experimental co-infection of calves with SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants of concern. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2281356. [PMID: 37938158 PMCID: PMC10763854 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2281356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Since emerging in late 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has repeatedly crossed the species barrier with natural infections reported in various domestic and wild animal species. The emergence and global spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) has expanded the range of susceptible host species. Previous experimental infection studies in cattle using Wuhan-like SARS-CoV-2 isolates suggested that cattle were not likely amplifying hosts for SARS-CoV-2. However, SARS-CoV-2 sero- and RNA-positive cattle have since been identified in Europe, India, and Africa. Here, we investigated the susceptibility and transmission of the Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in cattle. Eight Holstein calves were co-infected orally and intranasally with a mixed inoculum of SARS-CoV-2 VOCs Delta and Omicron BA.2. Twenty-four hours post-challenge, two sentinel calves were introduced to evaluate virus transmission. The co-infection resulted in a high proportion of calves shedding SARS-CoV-2 RNA at 1- and 2-days post-challenge (DPC). Extensive tissue distribution of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was observed at 3 and 7 DPC and infectious virus was recovered from two calves at 3 DPC. Next-generation sequencing revealed that only the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant was detected in clinical samples and tissues. Similar to previous experimental infection studies in cattle, we observed only limited seroconversion and no clear evidence of transmission to sentinel calves. Together, our findings suggest that cattle are more permissive to infection with SARS-CoV-2 Delta than Omicron BA.2 and Wuhan-like isolates but, in the absence of horizontal transmission, are not likely to be reservoir hosts for currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konner Cool
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Natasha N. Gaudreault
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Jessie D. Trujillo
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Igor Morozov
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Chester D. McDowell
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Dashzeveg Bold
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Taeyong Kwon
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Velmurugan Balaraman
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Patricia Assato
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Daniel W. Madden
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Emily Mantlo
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Jayme Souza-Neto
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Franco Matias-Ferreyra
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Jaime Retallick
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Schotsaert
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariano Carossino
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Udeni B. R. Balasuriya
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - William C. Wilson
- Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Unit, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Roman M. Pogranichniy
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juergen A. Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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Fernández-Bastit L, Montalvo T, Franco S, Barahona L, López-Bejar M, Carbajal A, Casas-Díaz E, Closa-Sebastià F, Segalés J, Vergara-Alert J. Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection in urban and peri-urban wildlife species from Catalonia (Spain). ONE HEALTH OUTLOOK 2024; 6:15. [PMID: 39217373 PMCID: PMC11366145 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-024-00109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human activities including deforestation, urbanization, and wildlife exploitation increase the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases. Urban and peri-urban wildlife species often flourish in human-altered environments, with their survival and behavior heavily influenced by human-generated food and waste. In Catalonia, Spain, and other Mediterranean regions, species of rodents, including the house mouse (Mus musculus), black rat (Rattus rattus), Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), as well as wild boar (Sus scrofa) are common in urban and peri-urban areas. These species host numerous infectious agents, including coronaviruses (CoVs), posing potential human health risks. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evolved to infect previously non-susceptible species, with variants capable of infecting rodents, emphasizing their importance in surveillance studies. METHODS The present study assessed SARS-CoV-2 presence and/or exposure in 232 rodents, 313 wild boar, and 37 Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs in Catalonia during the pandemic period (2020-2023). RESULTS All the animals tested for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (232 rodents and 29 wild boar) were negative. For SARS-CoV-2 exposure, 3 out of 313 (0.96%) wild boar tested positive by ELISA, while the remaining 32 rodents, 310 wild boar, and 37 Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs were all negative. Cross-reactivity with other CoVs was predicted for ELISA-positive samples, as the 3 wild boar tested negative by the virus neutralization assay, considered as the gold standard technique. CONCLUSIONS The absence of SARS-CoV-2 exposure or acute infection in wild boar and rodent species supports their negligible role in viral spread or transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic in Catalonia. However, their proximity to humans and the ongoing genetic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 underline the need for continued monitoring. Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal species can contribute to design measures to control the emergence of new animal reservoirs or intermediate hosts that could facilitate viral spillover events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leira Fernández-Bastit
- Unitat Mixta d'investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus, Bellaterra, 08193, Catalonia, Spain
- Programa de Sanitat Animal, IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus, Bellaterra, 08193, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Tomás Montalvo
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Sant Quintí 77-79, Barcelona, 08041, Spain
| | - Sandra Franco
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Barahona
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR SANT PAU), Sant Quintí 77-79, Barcelona, 08041, Spain
| | - Manel López-Bejar
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Annais Carbajal
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | | | - Joaquim Segalés
- Unitat Mixta d'investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus, Bellaterra, 08193, Catalonia, Spain.
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Júlia Vergara-Alert
- Unitat Mixta d'investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus, Bellaterra, 08193, Catalonia, Spain.
- Programa de Sanitat Animal, IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus, Bellaterra, 08193, Catalonia, Spain.
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3
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Fernández-Bastit L, Cano-Terriza D, Caballero-Gómez J, Beato-Benítez A, Fernández A, García-Párraga D, Domingo M, Sierra C, Canales R, Borragan S, de la Riva-Fraga M, Molina-López R, Cabezón Ó, Puig-Ribas M, Espunyes J, Vázquez-Calero DB, Vergara-Alert J, García-Bocanegra I, Segalés J. Survey of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in captive and free-ranging wildlife from Spain. Vet Res 2024; 55:90. [PMID: 39030652 PMCID: PMC11264983 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01348-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), considered a zoonotic agent of wildlife origin, can infect various animal species, including wildlife in free-range and captive environments. Detecting susceptible species and potential reservoirs is crucial for preventing the transmission, spread, genetic evolution, and further emergence of viral variants that are major threats to global health. This study aimed to detect exposure or acute infection by SARS-CoV-2 in 420 animals from 40 different wildlife species, including terrestrial and aquatic mammals, from different regions of Spain during the 2020-2023 coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. In total, 8/137 animals were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies against the receptor binding domain and/or viral nucleoprotein according to independent ELISAs. However, only one ELISA-positive sample of a captive bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with a low titre (SNT50 38.15) according to a virus neutralization test. Cetaceans are expected to have a high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 according to early predictive studies due to the similarity of their angiotensin converting enzyme 2 cell receptor to that of humans. Moreover, of 283 animals analysed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using RT-qPCR, none tested positive. Our results reinforce the importance of considering cetaceans at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection and support taking preventive biosecurity measures when interacting with them, especially in the presence of individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Although most animals in this study tested negative for acute infection or viral exposure, ongoing surveillance of wildlife species and potentially susceptible animals is important to prevent future spillover events and detect potential novel reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leira Fernández-Bastit
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08139, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII-CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII-CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Cordoba, Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, 14004, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Adrián Beato-Benítez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Atlantic Cetacean Research Center, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001, Las Palmas, Trasmontaña, Spain
| | - Daniel García-Párraga
- Research Department, Fundación Oceanografic de la Comunitat Valenciana, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, 46013, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mariano Domingo
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08139, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Service, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Sanitat I Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia Sierra
- Selwo Aventura, 29680, Estepona, Málaga, Spain
- Selwo Marina, 29630, Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain
| | | | - Santiago Borragan
- Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno, 39690, Obregón, Cantabria, Spain
| | | | - Rafael Molina-López
- Centre de Fauna de Torreferrussa, Àrea de Gestió Ambiental Servei de Fauna I Flora, Forestal Catalana, 08130, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Óscar Cabezón
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08139, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Wildlife Conservation Medicine Research Group (WildCoM), Departament de Medicina I Cirugia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Puig-Ribas
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08139, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Wildlife Conservation Medicine Research Group (WildCoM), Departament de Medicina I Cirugia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Johan Espunyes
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08139, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Wildlife Conservation Medicine Research Group (WildCoM), Departament de Medicina I Cirugia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Júlia Vergara-Alert
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08139, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII-CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08139, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
- Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Service, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
- Departament de Sanitat I Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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4
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Lubinski B, Whittaker GR. Host Cell Proteases Involved in Human Respiratory Viral Infections and Their Inhibitors: A Review. Viruses 2024; 16:984. [PMID: 38932275 PMCID: PMC11209347 DOI: 10.3390/v16060984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral tropism is most commonly linked to receptor use, but host cell protease use can be a notable factor in susceptibility to infection. Here we review the use of host cell proteases by human viruses, focusing on those with primarily respiratory tropism, particularly SARS-CoV-2. We first describe the various classes of proteases present in the respiratory tract, as well as elsewhere in the body, and incorporate the targeting of these proteases as therapeutic drugs for use in humans. Host cell proteases are also linked to the systemic spread of viruses and play important roles outside of the respiratory tract; therefore, we address how proteases affect viruses across the spectrum of infections that can occur in humans, intending to understand the extrapulmonary spread of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey Lubinski
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA;
| | - Gary R. Whittaker
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Public & Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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5
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Seekings AH, Shipley R, Byrne AMP, Shukla S, Golding M, Amaya-Cuesta J, Goharriz H, Vitores AG, Lean FZX, James J, Núñez A, Breed A, Frost A, Balzer J, Brown IH, Brookes SM, McElhinney LM. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant (B.1.617.2) in Domestic Dogs and Zoo Tigers in England and Jersey during 2021. Viruses 2024; 16:617. [PMID: 38675958 PMCID: PMC11053977 DOI: 10.3390/v16040617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Reverse zoonotic transmission events of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been described since the start of the pandemic, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) designated the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in animals a reportable disease. Eighteen domestic and zoo animals in Great Britain and Jersey were tested by APHA for SARS-CoV-2 during 2020-2023. One domestic cat (Felis catus), three domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and three Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) from a zoo were confirmed positive during 2020-2021 and reported to the WOAH. All seven positive animals were linked with known SARS-CoV-2 positive human contacts. Characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 variants by genome sequencing indicated that the cat was infected with an early SARS-CoV-2 lineage. The three dogs and three tigers were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern (B.1.617.2). The role of non-human species in the onward transmission and emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly defined. Continued surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in relevant domestic and captive animal species with high levels of human contact is important to monitor transmission at the human-animal interface and to assess their role as potential animal reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda H. Seekings
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Rebecca Shipley
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alexander M. P. Byrne
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- Worldwide Influenza Centre, The Francis Crick Institute, Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Shweta Shukla
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Megan Golding
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Joan Amaya-Cuesta
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Hooman Goharriz
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ana Gómez Vitores
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Fabian Z. X. Lean
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Joe James
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alejandro Núñez
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alistair Breed
- Government of Jersey, Infrastructure Housing and Environment, Howard Davis Farm, La Route de la Trinité, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5JP, UK
| | - Andrew Frost
- One Health, Animal Health and Welfare Advice Team, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, UK
| | - Jörg Balzer
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Humboldtstraße 2, 70806 Kornwestheim, Germany
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Sharon M. Brookes
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Lorraine M. McElhinney
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
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6
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Carossino M, Izadmehr S, Trujillo JD, Gaudreault NN, Dittmar W, Morozov I, Balasuriya UBR, Cordon-Cardo C, García-Sastre A, Richt JA. ACE2 and TMPRSS2 distribution in the respiratory tract of different animal species and its correlation with SARS-CoV-2 tissue tropism. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0327023. [PMID: 38230954 PMCID: PMC10846196 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03270-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
A wide range of animal species show variable susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2; however, host factors associated with varied susceptibility remain to be defined. Here, we examined whether susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and virus tropism in different animal species are dependent on the expression and distribution of the virus receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the host cell factor transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). We cataloged the upper and lower respiratory tract of multiple animal species and humans in a tissue-specific manner and quantitatively evaluated the distribution and abundance of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA in situ. Our results show that: (i) ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA are abundant in the conduction portion of the respiratory tract, (ii) ACE2 mRNA occurs at a lower abundance compared to TMPRSS2 mRNA, (iii) co-expression of ACE2-TMPRSS2 mRNAs is highest in those species with the highest susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection (i.e., cats, Syrian hamsters, and white-tailed deer), and (iv) expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA was not altered following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our results demonstrate that while specific regions of the respiratory tract are enriched in ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNAs in different animal species, this is only a partial determinant of susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.IMPORTANCESARS-CoV-2 infects a wide array of domestic and wild animals, raising concerns regarding its evolutionary dynamics in animals and potential for spillback transmission of emerging variants to humans. Hence, SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals has significant public health relevance. Host factors determining animal susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 are vastly unknown, and their characterization is critical to further understand susceptibility and viral dynamics in animal populations and anticipate potential spillback transmission. Here, we quantitatively assessed the distribution and abundance of the two most important host factors, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, in the respiratory tract of various animal species and humans. Our results demonstrate that while specific regions of the respiratory tract are enriched in these two host factors, they are only partial determinants of susceptibility. Detailed analysis of additional host factors is critical for our understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing viral susceptibility and reservoir hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Carossino
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences and Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Sudeh Izadmehr
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jessie D. Trujillo
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Natasha N. Gaudreault
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Wellesley Dittmar
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences and Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Igor Morozov
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
| | - Udeni B. R. Balasuriya
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences and Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Carlos Cordon-Cardo
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Juergen A. Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA
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7
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Hüttl J, Reitt K, Meli ML, Meili T, Bönzli E, Pineroli B, Ginders J, Schoster A, Jones S, Tyson GB, Hosie MJ, Pusterla N, Wernike K, Hofmann-Lehmann R. Serological and Molecular Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 in Horses and Cattle in Switzerland from 2020 to 2022. Viruses 2024; 16:224. [PMID: 38400000 PMCID: PMC10892882 DOI: 10.3390/v16020224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Horses and cattle have shown low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, and there is no evidence of experimental intraspecies transmission. Nonetheless, seropositive horses in the US and seropositive cattle in Germany and Italy have been reported. The current study investigated the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in horses and cattle in Switzerland. In total, 1940 serum and plasma samples from 1110 horses and 830 cattle were screened with a species-specific ELISA based on the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and, in the case of suspect positive results, a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) was used to demonstrate the neutralizing activity of the antibodies. Further confirmation of suspect positive samples was performed using either a pseudotype-based virus neutralization assay (PVNA; horses) or an indirect immunofluorescence test (IFA; cattle). The animals were sampled between February 2020 and December 2022. Additionally, in total, 486 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), oropharyngeal, nasal and rectal swab samples from horses and cattle were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA via reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Six horses (0.5%; 95% CI: 0.2-1.2%) were suspect positive via RBD-ELISA, and neutralizing antibodies were detected in two of them via confirmatory sVNT and PVNA tests. In the PVNA, the highest titers were measured against the Alpha and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants. Fifteen cattle (1.8%; 95% CI: 1.0-3.0%) were suspect positive in RBD-ELISA; 3 of them had SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralizing antibodies in sVNT and 4 of the 15 were confirmed to be positive via IFA. All tested samples were RT-qPCR-negative. The results support the hypotheses that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in horses and cattle in Switzerland was low up to the end of 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hüttl
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Frohbergstrasse 3, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland;
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Katja Reitt
- Center for Laboratory Medicine, Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Frohbergstrasse 3, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland;
| | - Marina L. Meli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Theres Meili
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Eva Bönzli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Benita Pineroli
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Julia Ginders
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
| | - Angelika Schoster
- Clinic for Equine Internal Medicine, Equine Department, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Sarah Jones
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (S.J.)
| | - Grace B. Tyson
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (S.J.)
- MRC-University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK;
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Suedufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany;
| | - Regina Hofmann-Lehmann
- Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, and Center for Clinical Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.L.M.); (T.M.); (E.B.); (B.P.); (J.G.); (R.H.-L.)
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8
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Piewbang C, Poonsin P, Lohavicharn P, Punyathi P, Kesdangsakonwut S, Kasantikul T, Techangamsuwan S. Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs: Determination of viral loads, distributions, localizations, and pathology. Acta Trop 2024; 249:107070. [PMID: 37956819 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Instances of reverse zoonosis involving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been documented in both controlled experiments and spontaneous cases. Although dogs are susceptible to infection, clinical significance is limited to mild or asymptomatic. Here, we investigate the fatal cases of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs in Thailand. Pathological findings of SARS-CoV-2-infected dogs reveal severe diffuse alveolar damage, pulmonary hyalinization and fibrosis, and syncytial formation, together with minor lesions in brain and kidney. Employing reverse transcription-digital PCR, substantial viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in lung, kidney, brain, trachea, tonsil, tracheobronchial lymph node, liver, and intestine, respectively. Localization of SARS-CoV-2 within various tissues was examined through immunohistochemistry (IHC), where the co-localization of the viral spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor was illustrated using double IHC. SARS-CoV-2 localization was markedly identified in the epithelial cells of the lung, trachea, intestine and kidneys, and moderately presented in the salivary gland and gall bladder, where the co-localization with the ACE2 was also evident. Neurons in the brainstem where exhibited lymphocytic perivascular cuffing were also found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 in IHC testing, despite lacking ACE2 receptor expression. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 replication within the lungs of infected dogs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, visualizing free viral particles within the cytosol or the endoplasmic reticulum of syncytial cells within the lung. This study considerably expanded on the knowledge of the pathology associated with natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs, a scenario that is relatively infrequent but occasionally leads to fatal outcome. Furthermore, these findings suggest the potential utility of dogs as a model for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chutchai Piewbang
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Panida Poonsin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pattiya Lohavicharn
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Panitnan Punyathi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sawang Kesdangsakonwut
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Tanit Kasantikul
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Somporn Techangamsuwan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Animal Virome and Diagnostic Development Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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9
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Fernández-Bastit L, Vergara-Alert J, Segalés J. Transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 from humans to animals: is there a risk of novel reservoirs? Curr Opin Virol 2023; 63:101365. [PMID: 37793299 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a zoonotic virus able to infect humans and multiple nonhuman animal species. Most natural infections in companion, captive zoo, livestock, and wildlife species have been related to a reverse transmission, raising concern about potential generation of animal reservoirs due to human-animal interactions. To date, American mink and white-tailed deer are the only species that led to extensive intraspecies transmission of SARS-CoV-2 after reverse zoonosis, leading to an efficient spread of the virus and subsequent animal-to-human transmission. Viral host adaptations increase the probability of new SARS-CoV-2 variants' emergence that could cause a major global health impact. Therefore, applying the One Health approach is crucial to prevent and overcome future threats for human, animal, and environmental fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leira Fernández-Bastit
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Júlia Vergara-Alert
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Unitat Mixta d'Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain; Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain.
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10
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Zumbrun EE, Zak SE, Lee ED, Bowling PA, Ruiz SI, Zeng X, Koehler JW, Delp KL, Bakken RR, Hentschel SS, Bloomfield HA, Ricks KM, Clements TL, Babka AM, Dye JM, Herbert AS. SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol and Intranasal Exposure Models in Ferrets. Viruses 2023; 15:2341. [PMID: 38140582 PMCID: PMC10747480 DOI: 10.3390/v15122341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Animal models are extremely helpful for testing vaccines and therapeutics and for dissecting the viral and host factors that contribute to disease severity and transmissibility. Here, we report the assessment and comparison of intranasal and small particle (~3 µm) aerosol SARS-CoV-2 exposure in ferrets. The primary endpoints for analysis were clinical signs of disease, recovery of the virus in the upper respiratory tract, and the severity of damage within the respiratory tract. This work demonstrated that ferrets were productively infected with SARS-CoV-2 following either intranasal or small particle aerosol exposure. SARS-CoV-2 infection of ferrets resulted in an asymptomatic disease course following either intranasal or small particle aerosol exposure, with no clinical signs, significant weight loss, or fever. In both aerosol and intranasal ferret models, SARS-CoV-2 replication, viral genomes, and viral antigens were detected within the upper respiratory tract, with little to no viral material detected in the lungs. The ferrets exhibited a specific IgG immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 full spike protein. Mild pathological findings included inflammation, necrosis, and edema within nasal turbinates, which correlated to positive immunohistochemical staining for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Environmental sampling was performed following intranasal exposure of ferrets, and SARS-CoV-2 genomic material was detected on the feeders and nesting areas from days 2-10 post-exposure. We conclude that both intranasal and small particle aerosol ferret models displayed measurable parameters that could be utilized for future studies, including transmission studies and testing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E. Zumbrun
- Division of Virology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.E.Z.); (R.R.B.); (S.S.H.); (J.M.D.); (A.S.H.)
| | - Samantha E. Zak
- Division of Virology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.E.Z.); (R.R.B.); (S.S.H.); (J.M.D.); (A.S.H.)
| | - Eric D. Lee
- Division of Pathology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (E.D.L.); (X.Z.); (H.A.B.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Philip A. Bowling
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Sara I. Ruiz
- Division of Bacteriology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Xiankun Zeng
- Division of Pathology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (E.D.L.); (X.Z.); (H.A.B.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Jeffrey W. Koehler
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.W.K.); (K.L.D.); (K.M.R.); (T.L.C.)
| | - Korey L. Delp
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.W.K.); (K.L.D.); (K.M.R.); (T.L.C.)
| | - Russel R. Bakken
- Division of Virology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.E.Z.); (R.R.B.); (S.S.H.); (J.M.D.); (A.S.H.)
| | - Shannon S. Hentschel
- Division of Virology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.E.Z.); (R.R.B.); (S.S.H.); (J.M.D.); (A.S.H.)
| | - Holly A. Bloomfield
- Division of Pathology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (E.D.L.); (X.Z.); (H.A.B.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Keersten M. Ricks
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.W.K.); (K.L.D.); (K.M.R.); (T.L.C.)
| | - Tamara L. Clements
- Diagnostic Systems Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (J.W.K.); (K.L.D.); (K.M.R.); (T.L.C.)
| | - April M. Babka
- Division of Pathology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (E.D.L.); (X.Z.); (H.A.B.); (A.M.B.)
| | - John M. Dye
- Division of Virology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.E.Z.); (R.R.B.); (S.S.H.); (J.M.D.); (A.S.H.)
| | - Andrew S. Herbert
- Division of Virology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease, Frederick, MD 21702, USA; (S.E.Z.); (R.R.B.); (S.S.H.); (J.M.D.); (A.S.H.)
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11
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Peka M, Balatsky V. Analysis of RBD-ACE2 interactions in livestock species as a factor in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among animals. Vet Anim Sci 2023; 21:100303. [PMID: 37521409 PMCID: PMC10372456 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The high mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2, which has led to the emergence of a number of virus variants, creates risks of transmission from humans to animal species and the emergence of new animal reservoirs of COVID-19. This study aimed to identify animal species among livestock susceptible to infection and develop an approach that would be possible to use for assessing the hazards caused by new SARS-CoV-2 variants for animals. Bioinformatic analysis was used to evaluate the ability of receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of different SARS-CoV-2 variants to interact with ACE2 receptors of livestock species. The results indicated that the stability of RBD-ACE2 complexes depends on both amino acid residues in the ACE2 sequences of animal species and on mutations in the RBDs of SARS-CoV-2 variants, with the residues in the interface of the RBD-ACE2 complex being the most important. All studied SARS-CoV-2 variants had high affinity for ferret and American mink receptors, while the affinity for horse, donkey, and bird species' receptors significantly increased in the highly mutated Omicron variant. Hazards that future SARS-CoV-2 variants may acquire specificity to new animal species remain high given the mutability of the virus. The continued use and expansion of the bioinformatic approach presented in this study may be relevant for monitoring transmission risks and preventing the emergence of new reservoirs of COVID-19 among animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mykyta Peka
- V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 4 Svobody Sq, Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine
- Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 1 Shvedska Mohyla St, Poltava, 36013, Ukraine
| | - Viktor Balatsky
- V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, 4 Svobody Sq, Kharkiv, 61022, Ukraine
- Institute of Pig Breeding and Agroindustrial Production, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, 1 Shvedska Mohyla St, Poltava, 36013, Ukraine
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12
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Himsworth CG, Caleta JM, Coombe M, McGregor G, Dibernardo A, Lindsay R, Sekirov I, Prystajecky N. A comparison of sampling and testing approaches for the surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in farmed American mink. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023; 35:528-534. [PMID: 37366157 PMCID: PMC10300625 DOI: 10.1177/10406387231183685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in American mink (Neovison vison) is a global priority because outbreaks on mink farms have potential consequences for animal and public health. Surveillance programs often focus on screening natural mortalities; however, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding sampling and testing approaches. Using 76 mink from 3 naturally infected farms in British Columbia, Canada, we compared the performance of 2 reverse-transcription real-time PCR (RT-rtPCR) targets (the envelope [E] and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [RdRp] genes) as well as serology. We also compared RT-rtPCR and sequencing results from nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, skin, and rectal swabs, as well as nasopharyngeal samples collected using swabs and interdental brushes. We found that infected mink were generally RT-rtPCR-positive on all samples; however, Ct values differed significantly among sample types (nasopharyngeal < oropharyngeal < skin < rectal). There was no difference in the results of nasopharyngeal samples collected using swabs or interdental brushes. For most mink (89.4%), qualitative (i.e., positive vs. negative) serology and RT-rtPCR results were concordant. However, mink were positive on RT-rtPCR and negative on serology and vice versa, and there was no significant correlation between Ct values on RT-rtPCR and percent inhibition on serology. Both the E and RdRp targets were detectable in all sample types, albeit with a small difference in Ct values. Although SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in multiple sample types, passive surveillance programs in mink should focus on multiple target RT-rtPCR testing of nasopharyngeal samples in combination with serology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea G Himsworth
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jessica M Caleta
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Michelle Coombe
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Glenna McGregor
- Animal Health Centre, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Antonia Dibernardo
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Robbin Lindsay
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Inna Sekirov
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Natalie Prystajecky
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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13
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Barrett EG, Revelli D, Bakshi CS, Kadish A, Amar S. The impact of primary immunization route on the outcome of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in a hamster model of COVID-19. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1212179. [PMID: 37293233 PMCID: PMC10244709 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1212179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has resulted in over 6.7 million deaths worldwide. COVID-19 vaccines administered parenterally via intramuscular or subcutaneous (SC) routes have reduced the severity of respiratory infections, hospitalization rates, and overall mortality. However, there is a growing interest in developing mucosally delivered vaccines to further enhance the ease and durability of vaccination. This study compared the immune response in hamsters immunized with live SARS-CoV-2 virus via SC or intranasal (IN) routes and assessed the outcome of a subsequent IN SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Results showed that SC-immunized hamsters elicited a dose-dependent neutralizing antibody response but of a significantly lower magnitude than that observed in IN-immunized hamsters. The IN challenge with SARS-CoV-2 in SC-immunized hamsters resulted in body weight loss, increased viral load, and lung pathology than that observed in IN-immunized and IN-challenged counterparts. These results demonstrate that while SC immunization renders some degree of protection, IN immunization induces a stronger immune response and better protection against respiratory SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, this study provides evidence that the route of primary immunization plays a critical role in determining the severity of a subsequent respiratory infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, the findings suggest that IN route of immunization may be a more effective option for COVID-19 vaccines than the currently used parenteral routes. Understanding the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 elicited via different immunization routes may help guide more effective and long-lasting vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward G. Barrett
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - David Revelli
- Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Chandra Shekhar Bakshi
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Alan Kadish
- Touro University, New York City, NY, United States
| | - Salomon Amar
- Touro University, New York City, NY, United States
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
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14
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Interactions between Humans and Dogs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recent Updates and Future Perspectives. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030524. [PMID: 36766413 PMCID: PMC9913536 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is one of the deadliest epidemics. This pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the role of dogs in spreading the disease in human society is poorly understood. This review sheds light on the limited susceptibility of dogs to COVID-19 infections which is likely attributed to the relatively low levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the respiratory tract and the phylogenetic distance of ACE2 in dogs from the human ACE2 receptor. The low levels of ACE2 affect the binding affinity between spike and ACE2 proteins resulting in it being uncommon for dogs to spread the disease. To demonstrate the role of dogs in spreading COVID-19, we reviewed the epidemiological studies and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs. Additionally, we discussed the use of detection dogs as a rapid and reliable method for effectively discriminating between SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected individuals using different types of samples (secretions, saliva, and sweat). We considered the available information on COVID-19 in the human-dog interfaces involving the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 to dogs by infected individuals and vice versa, the human-dog behavior changes, and the importance of preventive measures because the risk of transmission by domestic dogs remains a concern.
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15
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Carpenter KC, Yang J, Xu JJ. Animal Models for the Study of Neurologic Manifestations Of COVID-19. Comp Med 2023; 73:91-103. [PMID: 36744556 PMCID: PMC9948905 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-22-000073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, has infected an estimated 525 million people with over 6 million deaths. Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease, an escalating number of neurologic symptoms have been reported in humans. Some neurologic symptoms, such as loss of smell or taste, are mild. However, other symptoms, such as meningoencephalitis or stroke, are potentially fatal. Along with surveys and postmortem evaluations on humans, scientists worked with several animal species to try to elucidate the causes of neurologic symptoms. Neurologic sequelae remain challenging to study due to the complexity of the nervous system and difficulties in identification and quantification of neurologic signs. We reviewed animal models used in the study of neurologic COVID-19, specifically research in mice, hamsters, ferrets, and nonhuman primates. We summarized findings on the presence and pathologic effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the nervous system. Given the need to increase understanding of COVID-19 and its effects on the nervous system, scientists must strive to obtain new information from animals to reduce mortality and morbidity with neurologic complications in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey C Carpenter
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan;,
| | - Jibing Yang
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jiajie J Xu
- Division of Animal Resources, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
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16
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Suresh V, Behera P, Parida D, Mohapatra AP, Das SK, Kumari S, Avula K, Mohapatra A, Syed GH, Senapati S. Therapeutic role of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) for the treatment and/or management of SARS-CoV-2-induced lung damage in hamster model. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 938:175392. [PMID: 36400163 PMCID: PMC9663386 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been hypothesized to be the major mediator of SARS-CoV-2-induced pathogenesis. During infection, the redox homeostasis of cells is altered as a consequence of virus-induced cellular stress and inflammation. In such scenario, high levels of ROS bring about the production of pro-inflammatory molecules like IL-6, IL-1β, etc. that are believed to be the mediators of severe COVID-19 pathology. Based on the known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, mucolytic and antiviral properties of NAC, it has been hypothesized that NAC will have beneficial effects in COVID-19 patients. In the current study efforts have been made to evaluate the protective effect of NAC in combination with remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2 induced lung damage in the hamster model. The SARS-CoV-2 infected animals were administered with high (500 mg/kg/day) and low (150 mg/kg/day) doses of NAC intraperitoneally with and without remdesivir. Lung viral load, pathology score and expression of inflammatory molecules were checked by using standard techniques. The findings of this study show that high doses of NAC alone can significantly suppress the SARS-CoV-2 mediated severe lung damage (2 fold), but on the contrary, it fails to restrict viral load. Moreover, high doses of NAC with and without remdesivir significantly suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory genes including IL-6 (4.16 fold), IL-1β (1.96 fold), and TNF-α (5.55 fold) in lung tissues. Together, results of this study may guide future preclinical and clinical attempts to evaluate the efficacy of different doses and routes of NAC administration with or without other drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Voddu Suresh
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Padmanava Behera
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; Department of Microbiology, SOA University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Deepti Parida
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Amlan Priyadarshee Mohapatra
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | | | - Sneha Kumari
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Kiran Avula
- Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India; Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
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17
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Pereira AHB, Pereira GO, Borges JC, de Barros Silva VL, Pereira BHM, Morgado TO, da Silva Cavasani JP, Slhessarenko RD, Campos RP, Biondo AW, de Carvalho Mendes R, Néspoli PEB, de Souza MA, Colodel EM, Ubiali DG, Dutra V, Nakazato L. A Novel Host of an Emerging Disease: SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) Kept Under Clinical Care in Brazil. ECOHEALTH 2022; 19:458-462. [PMID: 36692797 PMCID: PMC9872066 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-022-01623-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A young male free-ranging giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) was found with paralysis of pelvic limbs on a highway and kept under human care. Radiographs confirmed multiple incomplete fractures in the thoracolumbar vertebrae. Due to the poor prognosis, euthanasia was chosen. The infection was established by viral SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in the rectal swab, spleen and kidney samples. Immunohistochemistry detected the viral nucleocapsid protein in sections of the lungs, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and large intestine sections, and spike protein antigen in the lung tissue. Pilosa order species should be included as potential hosts of natural infection of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asheley Henrique Barbosa Pereira
- Setor de Anatomia Patológica (SAP), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRuralRJ), BR-465 Km7, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Gabriela Oliveira Pereira
- Setor de Anatomia Patológica (SAP), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRuralRJ), BR-465 Km7, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Jaqueline Camargo Borges
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular Veterinária, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Victoria Luiza de Barros Silva
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Bárbara Hawanna Marques Pereira
- Setor de Animais Silvestres, Hospital Veterinário, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Thays Oliveira Morgado
- Setor de Animais Silvestres, Hospital Veterinário, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Joao Paulo da Silva Cavasani
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Renata Dezengrini Slhessarenko
- Hospital Universitário Júlio Muller, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Richard Pacheco Campos
- Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária e Doenças Parasitárias dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil
| | - Renan de Carvalho Mendes
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Pedro Eduardo Brandini Néspoli
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Marcos Almeida de Souza
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Edson Moleta Colodel
- Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Daniel Guimarães Ubiali
- Setor de Anatomia Patológica (SAP), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRuralRJ), BR-465 Km7, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Valéria Dutra
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular Veterinária, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil
| | - Luciano Nakazato
- Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Molecular Veterinária, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367, Bairro Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil.
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18
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James J, Byrne AMP, Goharriz H, Golding M, Cuesta JMA, Mollett BC, Shipley R, M McElhinney L, Fooks AR, Brookes SM. Infectious droplet exposure is an inefficient route for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the ferret model. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 36748502 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans, has a wide host range, naturally infecting felids, canids, cervids, rodents and mustelids. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is universally accepted to occur via contact with contaminated secretions from the respiratory epithelium, either directly or indirectly. Transmission via droplet nuclei, generated from a cough or sneeze, has also been reported in several human and experimental animal scenarios. However, the role of droplet transmission at the human-animal interface remains to be fully elucidated. Here, the ferret infection model was used to investigate the routes of infection for the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant (B.1.351). Ferrets were exposed to droplets containing infectious SARS-CoV-2, ranging between 4 and 106 µm in diameter, simulating larger droplets produced by a cough from an infected person. Following exposure, viral RNA was detected on the fur of ferrets, and was deposited onto environmental surfaces, as well as the fur of ferrets placed in direct contact; SARS-CoV-2 remained infectious on the fur for at least 48 h. Low levels of viral RNA were detected in the nasal washes early post-exposure, yet none of the directly exposed, or direct-contact ferrets, became robustly infected or seroconverted to SARS-CoV-2. In comparison, ferrets intranasally inoculated with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant became robustly infected, shedding viral RNA and infectious virus from the nasal cavity, with transmission to 75 % of naive ferrets placed in direct contact. These data suggest that larger infectious droplet nuclei and contaminated fur play minor roles in SARS-CoV-2 transmission among mustelids and potentially other companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe James
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alexander M P Byrne
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Hooman Goharriz
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Megan Golding
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Joan M A Cuesta
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Benjamin C Mollett
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Rebecca Shipley
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Lorraine M McElhinney
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Anthony R Fooks
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Sharon M Brookes
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK
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19
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Fernández‐Bastit L, Marfil S, Pradenas E, Valle R, Roca N, Rodon J, Pailler‐García L, Trinité B, Parera M, Noguera‐Julian M, Martorell J, Izquierdo‐Useros N, Carrillo J, Clotet B, Blanco J, Vergara‐Alert J, Segalés J. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and humoral responses against different variants of concern in domestic pet animals and stray cats from North-Eastern Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:3518-3529. [PMID: 36167932 PMCID: PMC9538463 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in humans, is able to infect several domestic, captive and wildlife animal species. Since reverse zoonotic transmission to pets has been demonstrated, it is crucial to determine their role in the epidemiology of the disease to prevent further spillover events and major spread of SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we determined the presence of virus and the seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2, as well as the levels of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against several variants of concern (VOCs) in pets (cats, dogs and ferrets) and stray cats from North-Eastern of Spain. We confirmed that cats and dogs can be infected by different VOCs of SARS-CoV-2 and, together with ferrets, are able to develop nAbs against the ancestral (B.1), Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.315), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (BA.1) variants, with lower titres against the latest in dogs and cats, but not in ferrets. Although the prevalence of active SARS-CoV-2 infection measured as direct viral RNA detection was low (0.3%), presence of nAbs in pets living in COVID-19-positive households was relatively high (close to 25% in cats, 10% in dogs and 40% in ferrets). It is essential to continue monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infections in these animals due to their frequent contact with human populations, and we cannot discard the probability of a higher animal susceptibility to new potential SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leira Fernández‐Bastit
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain,IRTA. Programa de Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain
| | | | | | - Rosa Valle
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain,IRTA. Programa de Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain
| | - Núria Roca
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain,IRTA. Programa de Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain
| | - Jordi Rodon
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain,IRTA. Programa de Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain
| | - Lola Pailler‐García
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain,IRTA. Programa de Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain
| | | | - Mariona Parera
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research InstituteBadalona08916Spain,Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Vic‐Central University of Catalonia (UVic‐UCC)Barcelona08500Spain
| | - Marc Noguera‐Julian
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research InstituteBadalona08916Spain,Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Vic‐Central University of Catalonia (UVic‐UCC)Barcelona08500Spain,Infectious Disease Networking Biomedical Research Center (CIBERINFEC)Carlos III Health InstituteMadridSpain
| | - Jaume Martorell
- Departament de Medicina i Cirugia AnimalsUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)Spain
| | - Nuria Izquierdo‐Useros
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research InstituteBadalona08916Spain,Infectious Disease Networking Biomedical Research Center (CIBERINFEC)Carlos III Health InstituteMadridSpain,Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP)Can Ruti CampusBadalona08916Spain
| | - Jorge Carrillo
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research InstituteBadalona08916Spain,Infectious Disease Networking Biomedical Research Center (CIBERINFEC)Carlos III Health InstituteMadridSpain,Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP)Can Ruti CampusBadalona08916Spain
| | - Bonaventura Clotet
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research InstituteBadalona08916Spain,Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Vic‐Central University of Catalonia (UVic‐UCC)Barcelona08500Spain,Lluita contra la SIDA FoundationHospital Universitari Germans Trias i PujolBadalona08916Spain
| | - Julià Blanco
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research InstituteBadalona08916Spain,Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Vic‐Central University of Catalonia (UVic‐UCC)Barcelona08500Spain,Infectious Disease Networking Biomedical Research Center (CIBERINFEC)Carlos III Health InstituteMadridSpain,Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP)Can Ruti CampusBadalona08916Spain
| | - Júlia Vergara‐Alert
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain,IRTA. Programa de Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain
| | - Joaquim Segalés
- Unitat mixta d'Investigació IRTA‐UAB en Sanitat Animal. Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA)Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)BellaterraCatalonia08193Spain,Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Facultat de VeterinàriaUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del Vallès08193Spain
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20
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Lean FZX, Priestnall SL, Vitores AG, Suárez-Bonnet A, Brookes SM, Núñez A. Elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152:564-568. [PMID: 36183613 PMCID: PMC9522311 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an enzyme within the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that plays a role in regulating blood pressure. However, it is also a cellular receptor for infection with SARS coronaviruses. Although most cats develop subclinical or mild disease following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) acquired from human patients, a previous study has suggested hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a potential risk factor for the development of severe disease in the cat. Herein we investigate the ACE2 protein expression in the lung, heart, and kidney from a small subset of cats with (n = 10) and without HCM (n = 10) by immunohistochemistry. The abundance and intensity of ACE2 expression is slightly elevated in alveoli (p = 0.09; 0.07, respectively) and bronchioles (p = 0.095; 0.37, respectively). However, statistically elevated abundance and intensity of ACE-2 expression was only evident in the heart of cats with HCM (p = 0.032; p = 0.011, respectively). Further investigation did not demonstrate a statistical correlation between the ACE2 expression in the heart in relation to the heart weight to body weight ratio, and the ventricular wall ratio. Current findings suggest an overexpression of ACE2 in HCM cases but follow up study is warranted to understand the pathophysiological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Z X Lean
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK.
| | - Simon L Priestnall
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, UK
| | - Ana Gómez Vitores
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
| | - Alejandro Suárez-Bonnet
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, UK
| | | | - Alejandro Núñez
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, Surrey, UK
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21
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Nelli RK, Roth JA, Gimenez-Lirola LG. Distribution of Coronavirus Receptors in the Swine Respiratory and Intestinal Tract. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9090500. [PMID: 36136717 PMCID: PMC9504008 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9090500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses use a broad range of host receptors for binding and cell entry, essential steps in establishing viral infections. This pilot study evaluated the overall distribution of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), aminopeptidase N (APN), carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) receptors in the pig respiratory and intestinal tract. All the receptors evaluated in this study were expressed and differentially distributed through the respiratory and intestinal tract. The presence and expression levels of these receptors could determine susceptibility to coronavirus infections. This study may have important implications for the development of research models and the assessment of the potential risk and introduction of novel coronaviruses into the swine population.
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22
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Allender MC, Adkesson MJ, Langan JN, Delk KW, Meehan T, Aitken‐Palmer C, McEntire MM, Killian ML, Torchetti M, Morales SA, Austin C, Fredrickson R, Olmstead C, Ke R, Smith R, Hostnik ET, Terio K, Wang L. Multi-species outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in a zoological institution, with the detection in two new families of carnivores. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3060-e3075. [PMID: 35839756 PMCID: PMC9349917 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a worldwide distribution in humans and many other mammalian species. In late September 2021, 12 animals maintained by the Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo were observed with variable clinical signs. The Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in faeces and nasal swabs by qRT-PCR, including the first detection in animals from the families Procyonidae and Viverridae. Test positivity rate was 12.5% for 35 animals tested. All animals had been vaccinated with at least one dose of a recombinant vaccine designed for animals and all recovered with variable supportive treatment. Sequence analysis showed that six zoo animal strains were closely correlated with 18 human SARS-CoV-2 strains, suggestive of potential human-to-animal transmission events. This report documents the expanding host range of COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Allender
- Brookfield ZooChicago Zoological SocietyBrookfieldIllinoisUSA
- Veterinary Diagnostic LabUniversity of Illinois Wildlife Epidemiology LaboratoryUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Jennifer N. Langan
- Brookfield ZooChicago Zoological SocietyBrookfieldIllinoisUSA
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of IllinoisUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Katie W. Delk
- Brookfield ZooChicago Zoological SocietyBrookfieldIllinoisUSA
| | - Thomas Meehan
- Brookfield ZooChicago Zoological SocietyBrookfieldIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Michael M. McEntire
- Illinois Zoological and Aquatic Animal ResidencyUniversity of IllinoisUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Mary L. Killian
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceUnited States Department of AgricultureAmesIowaUSA
| | - Mia Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceUnited States Department of AgricultureAmesIowaUSA
| | | | - Connie Austin
- Illinois Department of Public HealthSpringfieldIllinoisUSA
| | - Richard Fredrickson
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of IllinoisUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Colleen Olmstead
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of IllinoisUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Ruian Ke
- T‐6, Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, T DivisionLos Alamos National LaboratoryLos AlamosNew MexicoUSA
| | - Rebecca Smith
- Department of PathobiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–ChampaignUrbanaIllinoisUSA
| | - Eric T. Hostnik
- Brookfield ZooChicago Zoological SocietyBrookfieldIllinoisUSA
- Department of Veterinary Clinical SciencesOhio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Karen Terio
- Zoological Pathology Program, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of IllinoisBrookfieldIllinoisUSA
| | - Leyi Wang
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of IllinoisUrbanaIllinoisUSA
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23
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Davoust B, Guérin P, Orain N, Fligny C, Flirden F, Fenollar F, Mediannikov O, Edouard S. Evidence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in wild mustelids from Brittany (France). Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3400-e3407. [PMID: 35841263 PMCID: PMC9350122 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the French region of Brittany, mainly in the department of the Côtes d'Armor, during the first half of 2021, seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 was detected in five wild mustelids out of 33 animals tested (15.6%). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was detected against at least four out of five recombinant viral proteins (S1 receptor binding domain, nucleocapsid, S1 subunit, S2 subunit and spike) in three pine martens (Martes martes) and in two badgers (Meles meles) using the automated western blot technique. An ELISA test also identified seropositive cases, although these did not align with western blot results. Although the 171 qPCRs carried out on samples from the 33 mustelids were all negative, these preliminary results from this observational study nevertheless bear witness to infections of unknown origin. The epidemiological surveillance of Covid-19 in wildlife must continue, in particular with effective serology tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Davoust
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP‐HM, MEPHIMarseilleFrance
- IHU Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
| | | | | | - Camille Fligny
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP‐HM, MEPHIMarseilleFrance
- IHU Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
| | - Fabien Flirden
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP‐HM, MEPHIMarseilleFrance
- IHU Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
| | - Florence Fenollar
- IHU Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP‐HM, SSA, VITROMEMarseilleFrance
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP‐HM, MEPHIMarseilleFrance
- IHU Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
| | - Sophie Edouard
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP‐HM, MEPHIMarseilleFrance
- IHU Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
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24
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Manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Mink Related to Host-, Virus- and Farm-Associated Factors, The Netherlands 2020. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081754. [PMID: 36016375 PMCID: PMC9414453 DOI: 10.3390/v14081754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on 69 Dutch mink farms in 2020 were studied to identify risk factors for virus introduction and transmission and to improve surveillance and containment measures. Clinical signs, laboratory test results, and epidemiological aspects were investigated, such as the date and reason of suspicion, housing, farm size and distances, human contact structure, biosecurity measures, and presence of wildlife, pets, pests, and manure management. On seven farms, extensive random sampling was performed, and age, coat color, sex, and clinical signs were recorded. Mild to severe respiratory signs and general diseases such as apathy, reduced feed intake, and increased mortality were detected on 62/69 farms. Throat swabs were more likely to result in virus detection than rectal swabs. Clinical signs differed between virus clusters and were more severe for dark-colored mink, males, and animals infected later during the year. Geographical clustering was found for one virus cluster. Shared personnel could explain some cases, but other transmission routes explaining farm-to-farm spread were not elucidated. An early warning surveillance system, strict biosecurity measures, and a (temporary) ban on mink farming and vaccinating animals and humans can contribute to reducing the risks of the virus spreading and acquisition of potential mutations relevant to human and animal health.
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25
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Ciurkiewicz M, Armando F, Schreiner T, de Buhr N, Pilchová V, Krupp-Buzimikic V, Gabriel G, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Baumgärtner W, Schulz C, Gerhauser I. Ferrets are valuable models for SARS-CoV-2 research. Vet Pathol 2022; 59:661-672. [PMID: 35001763 PMCID: PMC9207987 DOI: 10.1177/03009858211071012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulted in an ongoing pandemic with millions of deaths worldwide. Infection of humans can be asymptomatic or result in fever, fatigue, dry cough, dyspnea, and acute respiratory distress syndrome with multiorgan failure in severe cases. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is not fully understood, and various models employing different species are currently applied. Ferrets can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and efficiently transmit the virus to contact animals. In contrast to hamsters, ferrets usually show mild disease and viral replication restricted to the upper airways. Most reports have used the intranasal inoculation route, while the intratracheal infection model is not well characterized. Herein, we present clinical, virological, and pathological data from young ferrets intratracheally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2. Infected animals showed no significant clinical signs, and had transient infection with peak viral RNA loads at 4 days postinfection, mild to moderate rhinitis, and pulmonary endothelialitis/vasculitis. Viral antigen was exclusively found in the respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity, indicating a particular tropism for cells in this location. Viral antigen was associated with epithelial damage and influx of inflammatory cells, including activated neutrophils releasing neutrophil extracellular traps. Scanning electron microscopy of the nasal respiratory mucosa revealed loss of cilia, shedding, and rupture of epithelial cells. The currently established ferret SARS-CoV-2 infection models are comparatively discussed with SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in mink, and the advantages and disadvantages of both species as research models for zoonotic betacoronaviruses are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federico Armando
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tom Schreiner
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nicole de Buhr
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Veronika Pilchová
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Vanessa Krupp-Buzimikic
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gülşah Gabriel
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Claudia Schulz
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ingo Gerhauser
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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26
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Cook S, Castillo D, Williams S, Haake C, Murphy B. Serotype I and II Feline Coronavirus Replication and Gene Expression Patterns of Feline Cells-Building a Better Understanding of Serotype I FIPV Biology. Viruses 2022; 14:1356. [PMID: 35891338 PMCID: PMC9320447 DOI: 10.3390/v14071356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a disease of domestic cats caused by the genetic variant of the feline coronavirus (FCoV) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), currently grouped into two serotypes, I and II. Although serotype I FIPV is more prevalent in cats with FIP, serotype II has been more extensively studied in vitro due to the relative ease in propagating this viral serotype in culture systems. As a result, more is known about serotype II FIPV than the more biologically prevalent serotype I. The primary cell receptor for serotype II has been determined, while it remains unknown for serotype I. The recent development of a culture-adapted feline cell line that more effectively propagates serotype I FIPV, FCWF-4 CU, derived from FCWF-4 cells available through the ATCC, offers the potential for an improved understanding of serotype I FIPV biology. To learn more about FIPV receptor biology, we determined targeted gene expression patterns in feline cells variably permissive to replication of serotype I or II FIPV. We utilized normal feline tissues to determine the immunohistochemical expression patterns of two known coronavirus receptors, ACE2 and DC-SIGN. Lastly, we compared the global transcriptomes of the two closely related FCWF-4 cell lines and identified viral transcripts with potential importance for the differential replication kinetics of serotype I FIPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cook
- Graduate Group Integrative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Diego Castillo
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (D.C.); (S.W.); (B.M.)
| | - Sonyia Williams
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (D.C.); (S.W.); (B.M.)
| | - Christine Haake
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA;
| | - Brian Murphy
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; (D.C.); (S.W.); (B.M.)
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27
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Fiorito F, Iovane V, Pagnini U, Cerracchio C, Brandi S, Levante M, Marati L, Ferrara G, Tammaro V, De Carlo E, Iovane G, Fusco G. First Description of Serological Evidence for SARS-CoV-2 in Lactating Cows. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111459. [PMID: 35681922 PMCID: PMC9179237 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the agent of the disease that has caused a global pandemic, known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Coronaviruses (CoVs) may emerge from wildlife hosts and infect humans and animals. Up to now, natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in several animals, but it has not been found in farm animals, such as buffaloes, goats, sheep, horses, rabbits, hens, pigs, or cows, despite contact with their SARS-CoV-2-positive human breeders. Furthermore, a low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in experimentally infected cattle with SARS-CoV-2. The unknown zoonotic potential of this virus is a cause of concern for pet owners and farmers. The limited data on cattle suggest that cattle show low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and probably do not function as reservoirs. However, in areas with large cattle populations and a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans, close contact between livestock and farmworkers may cause reverse zoonotic infections in cattle, as has already been described for highly sensitive animal species, such as minks, cats, and dogs. Thus, studying the zoonotic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 could help in the development of a strategy for virus detection and the control of viral dissemination. Abstract Following the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak in Ariano Irpino, Campania region (Italy), we tested lactating cows for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on a cattle farm at which, prior to the investigation, 13 of the 20 farmworkers showed COVID-19-like symptoms, and one of them died. Twenty-four lactating cows were sampled to detect SARS-CoV-2. All nasal and rectal swabs and milk samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Of the 24 collected serum samples, 11 showed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, 14 showed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and 13 developed neutralising antibodies for SARS-COV-2; all samples were negative for Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV), another betacoronavirus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lactating cows. We hypothesise that this may be a case of reverse zoonosis. However, the role of cattle in SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission seems to be negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Fiorito
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Valentina Iovane
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy;
| | - Ugo Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Claudia Cerracchio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Sergio Brandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Martina Levante
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Luisa Marati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Virginio Tammaro
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale Avellino (Ariano Irpino), 83031 Avellino, Italy;
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (E.D.C.); (G.I.); Tel.: +39-0812536178 (E.D.C. & G.I.)
| | - Giuseppe Iovane
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (E.D.C.); (G.I.); Tel.: +39-0812536178 (E.D.C. & G.I.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
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28
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Choudhary S, Kanevsky I, Tomlinson L. Animal models for studying covid-19, prevention, and therapy: Pathology and disease phenotypes. Vet Pathol 2022; 59:516-527. [PMID: 35451341 PMCID: PMC9208071 DOI: 10.1177/03009858221092015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Translational models have played an important role in the rapid development of safe and effective vaccines and therapeutic agents for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Animal models recapitulating the clinical and underlying pathological manifestations of COVID-19 have been vital for identification and rational design of safe and effective vaccines and therapies. This manuscript provides an overview of commonly used COVID-19 animal models and the pathologic features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in these models in relation to their clinical presentation in humans. Also discussed are considerations for selecting appropriate animal models for infectious diseases such as COVID-19, the host determinants that can influence species-specific susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, and the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Finally, the limitations of currently available COVID-19 animal models are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isis Kanevsky
- Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development & Medical, Pearl River, NY
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29
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Färber I, Krüger J, Rocha C, Armando F, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Pöhlmann S, Braun A, Baumgärtner W, Runft S, Krüger N. Investigations on SARS-CoV-2 Susceptibility of Domestic and Wild Animals Using Primary Cell Culture Models Derived from the Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract. Viruses 2022; 14:v14040828. [PMID: 35458558 PMCID: PMC9032458 DOI: 10.3390/v14040828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Several animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, as documented by case reports and serological and in vivo infection studies. However, the susceptibility of many animal species remains unknown. Furthermore, the expression patterns of SARS-CoV-2 entry factors, such as the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), as well as transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2) and cathepsin L (CTSL), cellular proteases involved in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein activation, are largely unexplored in most species. Here, we generated primary cell cultures from the respiratory tract of domestic and wildlife animals to assess their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, the presence of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and CTSL within respiratory tract compartments was investigated in a range of animals, some with unknown susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. Productive viral replication was observed in the nasal mucosa explants and precision-cut lung slices from dogs and hamsters, whereas culture models from ferrets and multiple ungulate species were non-permissive to infection. Overall, whereas TMPRSS2 and CTSL were equally expressed in the respiratory tract, the expression levels of ACE2 were more variable, suggesting that a restricted availability of ACE2 may contribute to reduced susceptibility. Summarized, the experimental infection of primary respiratory tract cell cultures, as well as an analysis of entry-factor distribution, enable screening for SARS-CoV-2 animal reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Färber
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (I.F.); (J.K.); (F.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Johannes Krüger
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (I.F.); (J.K.); (F.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Cheila Rocha
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (C.R.); (S.P.); (N.K.)
| | - Federico Armando
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (I.F.); (J.K.); (F.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (C.R.); (S.P.); (N.K.)
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, Georg-August-University, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Armin Braun
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (I.F.); (J.K.); (F.A.); (S.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-953-8620; Fax: +49-511-953-8675
| | - Sandra Runft
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (I.F.); (J.K.); (F.A.); (S.R.)
| | - Nadine Krüger
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; (C.R.); (S.P.); (N.K.)
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30
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Thakur N, Gallo G, Newman J, Peacock TP, Biasetti L, Hall CN, Wright E, Barclay W, Bailey D. SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern alpha, beta, gamma and delta have extended ACE2 receptor host ranges. J Gen Virol 2022; 103. [PMID: 35377298 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in PR China in late 2019 a number of variants have emerged, with two of these - alpha and delta - subsequently growing to global prevalence. One characteristic of these variants are changes within the spike protein, in particular the receptor-binding domain (RBD). From a public health perspective, these changes have important implications for increased transmissibility and immune escape; however, their presence could also modify the intrinsic host range of the virus. Using viral pseudotyping, we examined whether the variants of concern (VOCs) alpha, beta, gamma and delta have differing host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor usage patterns, focusing on a range of relevant mammalian ACE2 proteins. All four VOCs were able to overcome a previous restriction for mouse ACE2, with demonstrable differences also seen for individual VOCs with rat, ferret or civet ACE2 receptors, changes that we subsequently attributed to N501Y and E484K substitutions within the spike RBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazia Thakur
- The Pirbright Institute, Guildford, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Giulia Gallo
- The Pirbright Institute, Guildford, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Joseph Newman
- The Pirbright Institute, Guildford, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Thomas P Peacock
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College - London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Luca Biasetti
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9QH, UK
| | - Catherine N Hall
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9QH, UK
| | - Edward Wright
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Wendy Barclay
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College - London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Dalan Bailey
- The Pirbright Institute, Guildford, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
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31
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Mastutik G, Rohman A, I'tishom R, Ruiz-Arrondo I, de Blas I. Experimental and natural infections of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 in pets and wild and farm animals. Vet World 2022; 15:565-589. [PMID: 35497948 PMCID: PMC9047133 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.565-589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally and has led to extremely high mortality rates. In addition to infecting humans, this virus also has infected animals. Experimental studies and natural infections showed that dogs have a low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas domesticated cats and other animals in the family Felidae, such as lions, tigers, snow leopards, and cougars, have a high susceptibility to viral infections. In addition, wild white-tailed deer, gorillas, and otters have been found to be infected by SARS-CoV-2. Furry farm animals, such as minks, have a high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus appears to spread among minks and generate several new mutations, resulting in increased viral virulence. Furthermore, livestock animals, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, were found to have low susceptibility to the virus, whereas chicken, ducks, turkeys, quail, and geese did not show susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This knowledge can provide insights for the development of SARS-CoV-2 mitigation strategies in animals and humans. Therefore, this review focuses on experimental (both replication and transmission) in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pets and in wild and farm animals, and to provide details on the mechanism associated with natural infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gondo Mastutik
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60131, Indonesia
| | - Ali Rohman
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Reny I'tishom
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60131, Indonesia
| | - Ignacio Ruiz-Arrondo
- Center for Rickettsioses and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital Universitario San Pedro–CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Ignacio de Blas
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Instituto Universitario de Investigación Mixto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain
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