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Sun Y, Xing J, Xu S, Li Y, Zhong J, Gao H, Cheng S, Dong J, Zhang T, Lu G, Baele G, Zhang G. Demographic and zoological drivers of infectome diversity in companion cats with ascites. mSystems 2024:e0063624. [PMID: 39120143 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00636-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Cats (Felidae) have become an integral part of many households. However, our understanding of the full spectrum of pathogens affecting cats (referred to as the infectome) is limited, mainly due to the inadequacy of commonly used diagnostic tools in capturing the complete diversity of potential pathogens and the prevalence of pathogen co-infections. In this study, we employed a meta-transcriptomic approach to simultaneously characterize the infectome contributing to different disease syndromes and to investigate spatial, demographic, and ecological factors influencing pathogen diversity and community composition in a cohort of 27 hospitalized cats and seven stray cats. We identified 15 species of pathogens, with Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae and Tritrichomonas foetus representing potential spillover risks. Importantly, although most cases of ascites hyperplasia were explained by coinfection with multiple pathogens, we identified the potential novel clinical outcomes of M. aubagnense infection among cats. We demonstrated that the increase in infectome diversity can be explained by a variety of predictors including age growth, temperature increase, and a higher proportion of females, with age growth presenting the strongest effect. Fine-scale analysis indicated that a higher diversity of infectomes were harbored in young cats rather than adult ones. Our results demonstrated that most feline diseases are better explained by the presence of virus-bacteria or virus-virus coinfection. This study serves as a timely endorsement for clinical diagnosis by vets to consider the cause of a disease based on a panel of cryptical co-infecting pathogens rather than on individual infectious agents. IMPORTANCE Frequent studies reported the risks of cats as an intermediate host of zoonotic pathogens (e.g., SARS-CoV-2). Cats have a physically close interaction with their owners through activities like petting, kissing, and being licked on the cheek and hands. However, there are still limited studies that systematically investigate the infectome structure of cats. In this study, we employed a meta-transcriptomics approach to characterize 15 species of pathogens in cats, with Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae first characterizing infection in diseased cats. Most feline diseases were better explained by the presence of virus-bacteria or virus-virus coinfection. The increase in infectome diversity could be influenced by a variety of predictors including age growth, temperature increase, and a higher proportion of females. A higher diversity of pathogens was harbored in young cats rather than adults. Importantly, we showed the value of linking the modern influx of meta-transcriptomics with comparative ecology and demography and of utilizing it to affirm that ecological and demographic variations impact the total infectome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yankuo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Maoming, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiabao Xing
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sijia Xu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhao Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Han Gao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Song Cheng
- CAU Dong Jun laboratory, Guangzhou, China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Dong
- CAU Dong Jun laboratory, Guangzhou, China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianyou Zhang
- CAU Dong Jun laboratory, Guangzhou, China, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guihong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control of Guangdong Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Maoming Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Maoming, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
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Yang JH, Oh Y, Moon SH, Lee GH, Kim JY, Shin YK, Tark D, Cho HS. Suspected Human-to-Cat Spillover of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in South Korea. Viruses 2024; 16:1113. [PMID: 39066274 PMCID: PMC11281702 DOI: 10.3390/v16071113] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This retrospective study reports the isolation and characterization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a household cat in South Korea. The cat, which was presented with respiratory symptoms, was identified during a retrospective analysis of samples collected between April 2021 and March 2022. Genomic sequencing revealed that the isolated virus belonged to the Omicron variant (BA.1), coinciding with its global emergence in early 2022. This case study provides evidence for the potential of direct human-to-cat transmission of the Omicron variant in South Korea during its period of widespread circulation. Our findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in both human and animal populations to track viral evolution and potential spillover events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Hee Yang
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 545431, Republic of Korea; (J.-H.Y.); (G.-H.L.)
| | - Yeonsu Oh
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sung-Hyun Moon
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Safety Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea;
| | - Gun-Hee Lee
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 545431, Republic of Korea; (J.-H.Y.); (G.-H.L.)
| | - Jae-Young Kim
- Tae Neung Animal Hospital, Seoul 02033, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yeon-Kyung Shin
- Foreign Animal Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea;
| | - Dongseob Tark
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 545431, Republic of Korea; (J.-H.Y.); (G.-H.L.)
| | - Ho-Seong Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Safety Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea;
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Selyemová D, Antolová D, Mangová B, Jarošová J, Ličková M, Havlíková SF, Sláviková M, Tarageľová VR, Derdáková M. Cats as a sentinel species for human infectious diseases - toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis, and COVID-19. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 6:100196. [PMID: 39055483 PMCID: PMC11269282 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
In this study, serological screening for Toxoplasma gondii, Trichinella spp., and SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats was conducted, aiming to identify their exposure to the mentioned pathogens and to assess the risk of potential human infection. In total, serum samples from 481 (310 owned and 171 shelter cats) were collected in Bratislava from September 2020 to September 2021, a period that included the initial outbreak wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study showed a 37.4% (135/441) seroprevalence of T. gondii with a slightly lower seropositivity in shelter cats (35.9%; 61/170) than in owned cats (38.4%; 104/271), but this difference was not statistically significant. Overall, the seroprevalence of Trichinella spp. was 2.0% (9/441), with animals from shelters being positive but not significantly more often (2.9%; 5/170) than owned cats (1.5%; 4/271). SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 2.7% (13/481) of cat sera (2.9% in shelter cats; 2.6% in owned cats). Among ten samples positive by virus neutralisation assay, two were positive for the B.1 variant. The presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in buccal and rectal swabs (n = 239) was not detected. The seroprevalence of almost 40% for T. gondii in cats suggests a non-negligible risk of human infection. The study confirmed the possibility of Trichinella spp. infection in cats, and thus the possibility of infection spreading between the sylvatic and synanthropic cycle via this animal species. The presented results also showed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is likely to circulate in cat populations in Slovakia, not only in cats that may have been in contact with infected persons, but also in shelter cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Selyemová
- Institute of Zoology, SAS, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 06, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Antolová
- Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Barbara Mangová
- Institute of Zoology, SAS, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 06, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Júlia Jarošová
- Institute of Parasitology, SAS, Hlinkova 3, 040 01, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Martina Ličková
- Biomedical Research Center, SAS, Institute of Virology, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sabína Fumačová Havlíková
- Biomedical Research Center, SAS, Institute of Virology, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Sláviková
- Biomedical Research Center, SAS, Institute of Virology, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 05, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Markéta Derdáková
- Institute of Zoology, SAS, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 845 06, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Oltjen H, Crook E, Lanier WA, Rettler H, Oakeson KF, Young EL, Torchetti M, Van Wettere AJ. SARS-CoV-2 delta variant in African lions (Panthera leo) and humans at Utah's Hogle Zoo, USA, 2021-22. Zoonoses Public Health 2024. [PMID: 38825749 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
AIMS We conducted a One Health investigation to assess the source and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in African lions (Panthera leo) at Utah's Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City from October 2021 to February 2022. METHODS AND RESULTS Following observation of respiratory illness in the lions, zoo staff collected pooled faecal samples and individual nasal swabs from four lions. All specimens tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The resulting investigation included: lion observation; RT-PCR testing of lion faeces every 1-7 days; RT-PCR testing of lion respiratory specimens every 2-3 weeks; staff interviews and RT-PCR testing; whole-genome sequencing of viruses from lions and staff; and comparison with existing SARS-CoV-2 human community surveillance sequences. In addition to all five lions, three staff displayed respiratory symptoms. All lions recovered and no hospitalizations or deaths were reported among staff. Three staff reported close contact with the lions in the 10 days before lion illness onset, one of whom developed symptoms and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on days 3 and 4, respectively, after lion illness onset. The other two did not report symptoms or test positive. Two staff who did not have close contact with the lions were symptomatic and tested positive on days 5 and 8, respectively, after lion illness onset. We detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in lion faeces for 33 days and in lion respiratory specimens for 14 weeks after illness onset. The viruses from lions were genetically highly related to those from staff and two contemporaneous surveillance specimens from Salt Lake County; all were delta variants (AY.44). CONCLUSIONS We did not determine the sources of these infections, although human-to-lion transmission likely occurred. The observed period of respiratory shedding was longer than in previously documented SARS-CoV-2 infections in large felids, indicating the need to further assess duration and potential implications of shedding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Oltjen
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - William A Lanier
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Readiness and Response, Division of State and Local Readiness, Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- US Public Health Service, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Hannah Rettler
- Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Kelly F Oakeson
- Utah Public Health Laboratory, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Erin L Young
- Utah Public Health Laboratory, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Mia Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, Iowa, USA
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Venkat H, Yaglom HD, Hecht G, Goedderz A, Ely JL, Sprenkle M, Martins T, Jasso-Selles D, Lemmer D, Gesimondo J, Ruberto I, Komatsu K, Engelthaler DM. Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Companion Animals in Households with Confirmed Human COVID-19 Cases. Pathogens 2024; 13:466. [PMID: 38921764 PMCID: PMC11206992 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
We aimed to characterize SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals living in households with COVID-19-positive people and understand the dynamics surrounding how these animals become infected. Public health investigators contacted households with at least one confirmed, symptomatic person with COVID-19 for study recruitment. Blood, nasal, and rectal swab specimens were collected from pet dogs and cats and a questionnaire was completed. Specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, and for neutralizing antibodies; genomic sequencing was performed on viral-positive samples. A total of 36.4% of 110 pets enrolled had evidence of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Pets were more likely to test positive if the pet was immunocompromised, and if more than one person in the home was positive for COVID-19. Among 12 multi-pet households where at least one pet was positive, 10 had at least one other pet test positive. Whole-genome sequencing revealed the genomes of viral lineages circulating in the community during the time of sample collection. Our findings suggest a high likelihood of viral transmission in households with multiple pets and when pets had very close interactions with symptomatic humans. Further surveillance studies are needed to characterize how new variants impact animals and to understand opportunities for infection and spillover in susceptible species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Venkat
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA; (G.H.); (I.R.); (K.K.)
- Career Epidemiology Field Officer Program, Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Hayley D. Yaglom
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA (D.L.); (D.M.E.)
| | - Gavriella Hecht
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA; (G.H.); (I.R.); (K.K.)
| | - Andrew Goedderz
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA (D.L.); (D.M.E.)
| | - Jennifer L. Ely
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA (D.L.); (D.M.E.)
| | - Michael Sprenkle
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA (D.L.); (D.M.E.)
| | - Taylor Martins
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA; (G.H.); (I.R.); (K.K.)
| | - Daniel Jasso-Selles
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA (D.L.); (D.M.E.)
| | - Darrin Lemmer
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA (D.L.); (D.M.E.)
| | | | - Irene Ruberto
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA; (G.H.); (I.R.); (K.K.)
| | - Kenneth Komatsu
- Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, AZ 85007, USA; (G.H.); (I.R.); (K.K.)
| | - David M. Engelthaler
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Flagstaff, AZ 86005, USA (D.L.); (D.M.E.)
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Chen C, Martins M, Nooruzzaman M, Yettapu D, Diel DG, Reinhart JM, Urbasic A, Robinson H, Varga C, Fang Y. Spatial and temporal clustering of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Illinois household cats, 2021-2023. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299388. [PMID: 38696456 PMCID: PMC11065222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and spatial and temporal clustering of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in household cats within 63 counties in Illinois from October 2021 to May 2023. The analysis followed a stepwise approach. First, in a choropleth point map, we illustrated the distribution of county-level seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Next, spatial interpolation was used to predict the seroprevalence in counties without recorded data. Global and local clustering methods were used to identify the extent of clustering and the counties with high or low seroprevalence, respectively. Next, temporal, spatial, and space-time scan statistic was used to identify periods and counties with higher-than-expected seroprevalence. In the last step, to identify more distinct areas in counties with high seroprevalence, city-level analysis was conducted to identify temporal and space-time clusters. Among 1,715 samples tested by serological assays, 244 samples (14%) tested positive. Young cats had higher seropositivity than older cats, and the third quarter of the year had the highest odds of seropositivity. Three county-level space-time clusters with higher-than-expected seroprevalence were identified in the northeastern, central-east, and southwest regions of Illinois, occurring between June and October 2022. In the city-level analysis, 2 space-time clusters were identified in Chicago's downtown and the southwestern suburbs of Chicago between June and September 2022. Our results suggest that the high density of humans and cats in large cities such as Chicago, might play a role in the transmission and clustering of SARS-CoV-2. Our study provides an in-depth analysis of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology in Illinois household cats, which will aid in COVID-19 control and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Chen
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Mathias Martins
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Mohammed Nooruzzaman
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Dipankar Yettapu
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Diego G. Diel
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M. Reinhart
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ashlee Urbasic
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Veterinary Specialty Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Hannah Robinson
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Veterinary Specialty Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Csaba Varga
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ying Fang
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
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Chakraborty C, Bhattacharya M, Islam MA, Zayed H, Ohimain EI, Lee SS, Bhattacharya P, Dhama K. Reverse Zoonotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and Monkeypox Virus: A Comprehensive Review. J Microbiol 2024; 62:337-354. [PMID: 38777985 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-024-00138-9] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Reverse zoonosis reveals the process of transmission of a pathogen through the human-animal interface and the spillback of the zoonotic pathogen. In this article, we methodically demonstrate various aspects of reverse zoonosis, with a comprehensive discussion of SARS-CoV-2 and MPXV reverse zoonosis. First, different components of reverse zoonosis, such as humans, different pathogens, and numerous animals (poultry, livestock, pets, wild animals, and zoo animals), have been demonstrated. Second, it explains the present status of reverse zoonosis with different pathogens during previous occurrences of various outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. Here, we present 25 examples from literature. Third, using several examples, we comprehensively illustrate the present status of the reverse zoonosis of SARS-CoV-2 and MPXV. Here, we have provided 17 examples of SARS-CoV-2 reverse zoonosis and two examples of MPXV reverse zoonosis. Fourth, we have described two significant aspects of reverse zoonosis: understanding the fundamental aspects of spillback and awareness. These two aspects are required to prevent reverse zoonosis from the current infection with two significant viruses. Finally, the One Health approach was discussed vividly, where we urge scientists from different areas to work collaboratively to solve the issue of reverse zoonosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiranjib Chakraborty
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700126, India.
| | - Manojit Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, Fakir Mohan University, VyasaVihar, Balasore, 756020, Odisha, India
| | - Md Aminul Islam
- COVID-19 Diagnostic Lab, Department of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, 3814, Bangladesh
- Advanced Molecular Lab, Department of Microbiology, President Abdul Hamid Medical College, Karimganj, Kishoreganj, Bangladesh
| | - Hatem Zayed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Sciences, Qatar University, QU Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - Elijah Ige Ohimain
- Microbiology Department, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
| | - Sang-Soo Lee
- Institute for Skeletal Aging & Orthopaedic Surgery, Hallym University-Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, 24252, Republic of Korea.
| | - Prosun Bhattacharya
- COVID-19 Research, Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
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8
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Sultana A, Bienzle D, Weese S, Pickering B, Kruczkiewicz P, Smith G, Pinette M, Lung O. Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from the initial cases of domestic cat infections in Canada. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0129523. [PMID: 38411070 PMCID: PMC11008122 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01295-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Two cat nasal swabs from Canada's earliest confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive domestic cats were sequenced to over 99% SARS-CoV-2 genome coverage. One cat had lineage A.23.1 SARS-CoV-2 not reported before in animals. Both sequences have multiple spike gene mutations and clustered closely with human-derived sequences in the global SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Sultana
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Dorothee Bienzle
- Ontario Veterinary College, Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Ontario, Guelph, Canada
| | - Scott Weese
- Ontario Veterinary College, Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, University of Guelph, Ontario, Guelph, Canada
| | - Brad Pickering
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Peter Kruczkiewicz
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Greg Smith
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mathieu Pinette
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Oliver Lung
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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9
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Niu S, Zhao Z, Liu Z, Rong X, Chai Y, Bai B, Han P, Shang G, Ren J, Wang Y, Zhao X, Liu K, Tian WX, Wang Q, Gao GF. Structural basis and analysis of hamster ACE2 binding to different SARS-CoV-2 spike RBDs. J Virol 2024; 98:e0115723. [PMID: 38305152 PMCID: PMC10949455 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01157-23] [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: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Pet golden hamsters were first identified being infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta variant of concern (VOC) and transmitted the virus back to humans in Hong Kong in January 2022. Here, we studied the binding of two hamster (golden hamster and Chinese hamster) angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) proteins to the spike protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of SARS-CoV-2 prototype and eight variants, including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and four omicron sub-variants (BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, and BA.4/BA.5). We found that the two hamster ACE2s present slightly lower affinity for the RBDs of all nine SARS-CoV-2 viruses tested than human ACE2 (hACE2). Furthermore, the similar infectivity to host cells expressing hamster ACE2s and hACE2 was confirmed with the nine pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Additionally, we determined two cryo-electron microscopy (EM) complex structures of golden hamster ACE2 (ghACE2)/delta RBD and ghACE2/omicron BA.3 RBD. The residues Q34 and N82, which exist in many rodent ACE2s, are responsible for the lower binding affinity of ghACE2 compared to hACE2. These findings suggest that all SARS-CoV-2 VOCs may infect hamsters, highlighting the necessity of further surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in these animals.IMPORTANCESARS-CoV-2 can infect many domestic animals, including hamsters. There is an urgent need to understand the binding mechanism of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants to hamster receptors. Herein, we showed that two hamster angiotensin-converting enzyme 2s (ACE2s) (golden hamster ACE2 and Chinese hamster ACE2) can bind to the spike protein receptor-binding domains (RBDs) of SARS-CoV-2 prototype and eight variants and that pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 viruses can infect hamster ACE2-expressing cells. The binding pattern of golden hamster ACE2 to SARS-CoV-2 RBDs is similar to that of Chinese hamster ACE2. The two hamster ACE2s present slightly lower affinity for the RBDs of all nine SARS-CoV-2 viruses tested than human ACE2. We solved the cryo-electron microscopy (EM) structures of golden hamster ACE2 in complex with delta RBD and omicron BA.3 RBD and found that residues Q34 and N82 are responsible for the lower binding affinity of ghACE2 compared to hACE2. Our work provides valuable information for understanding the cross-species transmission mechanism of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Niu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Zhennan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhimin Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Rong
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yan Chai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Bai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pengcheng Han
- School of Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guijun Shang
- Cryo-EM Center, Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jianle Ren
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kefang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-xia Tian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
| | - Qihui Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - George Fu Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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10
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Bezerra KC, Vieira CMAG, de Oliveira-Filho EF, Reis CRS, Oriá RB. Susceptibility of solid organ transplant recipients to viral pathogens with zoonotic potential: A mini-review. Braz J Infect Dis 2024; 28:103742. [PMID: 38670166 PMCID: PMC11078645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2024.103742] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A substantial number of zoonotic diseases are caused by viral pathogens, representing a significant menace to public health, particularly to susceptible populations, such as pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Individuals who have undergone solid organ transplantation frequently experience immunosuppression, to prevent organ rejection, and, thus are more prone to opportunistic infections. Furthermore, the reactivation of dormant viruses can threaten transplant recipients and organ viability. This mini-review examines the up-to-date literature covering potential zoonotic and organ rejection-relevant viruses in solid organ transplant recipients. A comprehensive list of viruses with zoonotic potential is highlighted and the most important clinical outcomes in patients undergoing transplantation are described. Moreover, this mini-review calls attention to complex multifactorial events predisposing viral coinfections and the need for continuous health surveillance and research to understand better viral pathogens' transmission and pathophysiology dynamics in transplanted individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine C Bezerra
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Medicina, Laboratório da Biologia da Cicatrização, Ontogenia e Nutrição de Tecidos, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Carlos Meton A G Vieira
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Medicina, Laboratório da Biologia da Cicatrização, Ontogenia e Nutrição de Tecidos, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | | | - Christian Robson S Reis
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Reinaldo B Oriá
- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Medicina, Laboratório da Biologia da Cicatrização, Ontogenia e Nutrição de Tecidos, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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11
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Thongyuan S, Thanongsaksrikul J, Srimanote P, Phongphaew W, Eiamcharoen P, Thengchaisri N, Bosco-Lauth A, Decaro N, Yodsheewan R. Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Cats during Five Waves of COVID-19 Epidemic in Thailand and Correlation with Human Outbreaks. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:761. [PMID: 38473145 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Human-to-animal SARS-CoV-2 transmission was observed, including a veterinarian contracting COVID-19 through close contact with an infected cat, suggesting an atypical zoonotic transmission. This study investigated the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cats during human outbreaks and elucidated the correlation between cat infections and human epidemics. A total of 1107 cat serum samples were collected and screened for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using a modified indirect ELISA human SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection kit. The samples were confirmed using a cPass™ neutralization test. The SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity rate was 22.67% (199/878), mirroring the trend observed in concomitant human case numbers. The waves of the epidemic and the provinces did not significantly impact ELISA-positive cats. Notably, Chon Buri exhibited a strong positive correlation (r = 0.99, p = 0.009) between positive cat sera and reported human case numbers. Additionally, the cPass™ neutralization test revealed a 3.99% (35/878) seropositivity rate. There were significant differences in numbers and proportions of positive cat sera between epidemic waves. In Samut Sakhon, a positive correlation (r = 1, p = 0.042) was noted between the proportion of positive cat sera and human prevalence. The findings emphasize the need for ongoing surveillance to comprehend SARS-CoV-2 dynamics in both human and feline populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suporn Thongyuan
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
| | - Jeeraphong Thanongsaksrikul
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumtani 12121, Thailand
| | - Potjanee Srimanote
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumtani 12121, Thailand
| | - Wallaya Phongphaew
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Piyaporn Eiamcharoen
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Naris Thengchaisri
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Angela Bosco-Lauth
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 3107 W Rampart Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima, Valenzano, 70010 Bari, Italy
| | - Rungrueang Yodsheewan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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12
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Choi A, Stout AE, Rollins A, Wang K, Guo Q, Javier AJ, Kennedy M, Wagner B, Whittaker GR. SARS-CoV-2 serosurvey of healthy, privately owned cats presenting to a New York City animal hospital in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.13.580068. [PMID: 38405835 PMCID: PMC10888843 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.13.580068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Both domestic and non-domestic cats are now established to be susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While serious disease in cats may occur in some instances, the majority of infections appear to be subclinical. Differing prevalence data for SARS-CoV-2 infection of cats have been reported, and are highly context-dependent. Here, we report a retrospective serological survey of cats presented to an animal practice in New York City, located in close proximity to a large medical center that treated the first wave of COVID-19 patients in the US in the Spring of 2020. We sampled 79, mostly indoor, cats between June 2020 to May 2021, the early part of which time the community was under a strict public health "lock-down". Using a highly sensitive and specific fluorescent bead-based multiplex assay, we found an overall prevalence of 13/79 (16%) serologically-positive animals for the study period; however, cats sampled in the Fall of 2020 had a confirmed positive prevalence of 44%. For SARS-CoV-2 seropositive cats, we performed viral neutralization test with live SARS-CoV-2 to additionally confirm presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies. Of the thirteen seropositive cats, 7/13 (54%) were also positive by virus neutralization, and 2 of seropositive cats had previously documented respiratory signs, with high neutralization titers of 1:1024 and 1:4096; overall however, there was no statistically significant association of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity with respiratory signs, or with breed, sex or age of the animals. Follow up sampling of cats, while limited in scope, showed that positive serological titers were maintained over time. In comparison, we found an overall confirmed positive prevalence of 51% for feline coronavirus (FCoV), an endemic virus of cats, with 30% confirmed negative for FCoV. We demonstrate the impact of SARS-CoV in a defined feline population during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection of humans, and suggest that human-cat transmission was substantial in our study group. Our data provide a new context for SARS-CoV-2 transmission events across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Choi
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, New York NY
| | | | | | - Kally Wang
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, New York NY
- Public Health Program, New York NY
| | - Qinghua Guo
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, New York NY
- Public Health Program, New York NY
| | | | - Monica Kennedy
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca NY and Sutton Animal Hospital, New York NY
| | | | - Gary R. Whittaker
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, New York NY
- Public & Ecosystem Health, New York NY
- Public Health Program, New York NY
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13
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Sparrer MN, Hodges NF, Ragan I, Yamashita T, Reed KJ, Sherman TJ, Mayer T, Maichak C, Adney DR, Carpenter M, Webb TL, Mayo C. SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in a veterinary health system provides insight into transmission risks. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2024; 262:93-99. [PMID: 38103381 PMCID: PMC11234244 DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.05.0229] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence and seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 in companion and exotic animals in a veterinary healthcare system. SAMPLE A total of 341 animals were sampled by a combination of oral and nasal swabs. Serum from whole blood was collected from a subset of animals (86 canines, 25 felines, and 6 exotic animals). METHODS After informed owner consent, convenience samples from client-owned animals and the pets of students and staff members associated with Colorado State University's Veterinary Health System were collected between May 2021 and September 2022. Study samples were collected by trained veterinarians, Veterinary Health System staff, and veterinary students. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by reverse transcription PCR in 1.6% (95% CI, 0.5% to 4.6%) of domestic canines and 1.1% (95% CI, 0.2% to 6.1%) of domestic felines. No RNA was detected in any of the exotic animal species tested (n = 66). Plaque reduction neutralization tests indicated that 12.8% (95% CI, 7.3% to 21.5%) of canines and 12.0% (95% CI, 4.2% to 30.0%) of felines had neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study provides insight regarding SARS-CoV-2 spillover in domestic companion and exotic animals and contributes to our understanding of transmission risk in the veterinary setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKenzie N Sparrer
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Natasha F Hodges
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Izabela Ragan
- 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Tyler Yamashita
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Kirsten J Reed
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Tyler J Sherman
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Treana Mayer
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Courtney Maichak
- 4Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Danielle R Adney
- 5Department of Life Sciences, Lovelace Biomedical, Albuquerque, NM
| | - Molly Carpenter
- 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Tracy L Webb
- 2Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Christie Mayo
- 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
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14
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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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15
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Zhao J, Kang M, Wu H, Sun B, Baele G, He WT, Lu M, Suchard MA, Ji X, He N, Su S, Veit M. Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 replicating and evolving in animals. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:79-92. [PMID: 37541811 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.07.002] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
The retransmissions of SARS-CoV-2 from several mammals - primarily mink and white-tailed deer - to humans have raised concerns for the emergence of a new animal-derived SARS-CoV-2 variant to worsen the pandemic. Here, we discuss animal species that are susceptible to natural or experimental infection with SARS-CoV-2 and can transmit the virus to mates or humans. We describe cutting-edge techniques to assess the impact of a mutation in the viral spike (S) protein on its receptor and on antibody binding. Our review of spike sequences of animal-derived viruses identified nine unique amino acid exchanges in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that are not present in any variant of concern (VOC). These mutations are present in SARS-CoV-2 found in companion animals such as dogs and cats, and they exhibit a higher frequency in SARS-CoV-2 found in mink and white-tailed deer, suggesting that sustained transmissions may contribute to maintaining novel mutations. Four of these exchanges, such as Leu452Met, could undermine acquired immune protection in humans while maintaining high affinity for the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Finally, we discuss important avenues of future research into animal-derived viruses with public health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Kang
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Clinical Research Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyan Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bowen Sun
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wan-Ting He
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Meng Lu
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Marc A Suchard
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Biomathematics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiang Ji
- Department of Mathematics, School of Science and Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Na He
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Su
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Michael Veit
- Institute for Virology, Center for Infection Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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16
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Hulst M, Kant A, Harders-Westerveen J, Hoffmann M, Xie Y, Laheij C, Murk JL, Van der Poel WHM. Cross-Reactivity of Human, Wild Boar, and Farm Animal Sera from Pre- and Post-Pandemic Periods with Alpha- and Βeta-Coronaviruses (CoV), including SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2023; 16:34. [PMID: 38257734 PMCID: PMC10821012 DOI: 10.3390/v16010034] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Panels of pre- and post-pandemic farm animals, wild boar and human sera, including human sera able to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, were tested in serological tests to determine their cross-reactivity with β- and α-CoV originating from farm animals. Sera were tested in neutralization assays with high ascending concentrations (up to 1 × 104 TCID50 units/well) of β-CoV Bovine coronavirus (BCV), SARS-CoV-2, and porcine α-CoV-transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). In addition, sera were tested for immunostaining of cells infected with β-CoV porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis (PHEV). Testing revealed a significantly higher percentage of BCV neutralization (78%) for sera of humans that had experienced a SARS-CoV-2 infection (SARS-CoV-2 convalescent sera) than was observed for human pre-pandemic sera (37%). Also, 46% of these human SARS-CoV-2 convalescent sera neutralized the highest concentration of BCV (5 × 103 TCID50/well) tested, whereas only 9.6% of the pre-pandemic sera did. Largely similar percentages were observed for staining of PHEV-infected cells by these panels of human sera. Furthermore, post-pandemic sera collected from wild boars living near a densely populated area in The Netherlands also showed a higher percentage (43%) and stronger BCV neutralization than was observed for pre-pandemic sera from this area (21%) and for pre- (28%) and post-pandemic (20%) sera collected from wild boars living in a nature reserve park with limited access for the public. High percentages of BCV neutralization were observed for pre- and post-pandemic sera of cows (100%), pigs (up to 45%), sheep (36%) and rabbits (60%). However, this cross-neutralization was restricted to sera collected from specific herds or farms. TGEV was neutralized only by sera of pigs (68%) and a few wild boar sera (4.6%). None of the BCV and PHEV cross-reacting human pre-pandemic, wild boar and farm animal sera effectively neutralized SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Preexisting antibodies in human sera effectively neutralized the animal β-CoV BCV in vitro. This cross-neutralization was boosted after humans had experienced a SARS-CoV-2 infection, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 activated a "memory" antibody response against structurally related epitopes expressed on the surface of a broad range of heterologous CoV, including β-CoV isolated from farm animals. Further research is needed to elucidate if a symptomless infection or environmental exposure to SARS-CoV-2 or another β-CoV also triggers such a "memory" antibody response in wild boars and other free-living animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Hulst
- Department Virology & Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands (J.H.-W.)
| | - Arie Kant
- Department Virology & Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands (J.H.-W.)
| | - José Harders-Westerveen
- Department Virology & Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands (J.H.-W.)
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center—Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany;
- Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yajing Xie
- Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China;
| | | | - Jean-Luc Murk
- Microvida, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, 5022 GC Tilburg, The Netherlands;
| | - Wim H. M. Van der Poel
- Department Virology & Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands (J.H.-W.)
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17
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Bianco A, Bortolami A, Miccolupo A, Sottili R, Ghergo P, Castellana S, Del Sambro L, Capozzi L, Pagliari M, Bonfante F, Ridolfi D, Bulzacchelli C, Giannico A, Parisi A. SARS-CoV-2 in Animal Companions: A Serosurvey in Three Regions of Southern Italy. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2354. [PMID: 38137955 PMCID: PMC10745004 DOI: 10.3390/life13122354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Several animal species have been found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The occurrence of infection in dogs and cats living in close contact with owners deserves particular attention from public health authorities in a One Health approach. In this study, we conducted serological screening to identify SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the sera from dogs and cats in three regions of southern Italy sampled during the years 2021 and 2022. We collected 100 serum samples in 2021 (89 from dogs and 11 from cats) and 640 in 2022 (577 from dogs and 63 from cats). Overall, the ELISA positivity rate was found to be 2.7% (20/740), with higher seroprevalence in dogs. Serum neutralization tests confirmed positivity only in two samples collected from dogs, and the assays, performed with serologically distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants, showed variant-specific positivity. This paper shows that monitoring SARS-CoV-2 exposure in animals might be affected by the viral antigenic evolution, which requires continuous updates to the serological tests used. Serological surveys are useful in understanding the true extent of exposure occurring in specific animal populations, not suffering the same limitations as molecular tests, and could help in identifying the infecting virus if tests able to characterize the immune response are used. The use of variant-specific validated serological methods should always be considered in serosurvey studies in order to determine the real impact of emerging variants on animal populations and its implications for veterinary and human health, as well as to identify potential reservoirs of the virus and its evolutionary changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelica Bianco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Alessio Bortolami
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.B.); (M.P.); (F.B.)
| | - Angela Miccolupo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Roldano Sottili
- ACV Triggiano Laboratorio di Analisi Cliniche Veterinarie, Via Suor Marcella Arosio 8, 70019 Triggiano, Italy; (R.S.)
| | - Paola Ghergo
- ACV Triggiano Laboratorio di Analisi Cliniche Veterinarie, Via Suor Marcella Arosio 8, 70019 Triggiano, Italy; (R.S.)
| | - Stefano Castellana
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Laura Del Sambro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Loredana Capozzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Matteo Pagliari
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.B.); (M.P.); (F.B.)
| | - Francesco Bonfante
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.B.); (M.P.); (F.B.)
| | - Donato Ridolfi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Carmela Bulzacchelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Anna Giannico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e Basilicata, Via Manfredonia n. 20, 71121 Foggia, Italy; (A.B.); (S.C.); (L.D.S.); (L.C.); (D.R.); (C.B.); (A.G.); (A.P.)
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18
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Ghai RR, Straily A, Wineland N, Calogero J, Stobierski MG, Signs K, Blievernicht M, Torres-Mendoza Y, Waltenburg MA, Condrey JA, Blankenship HM, Riner D, Barr N, Schalow M, Goodrich J, Collins C, Ahmad A, Metz JM, Herzegh O, Straka K, Arsnoe DM, Duffiney AG, Shriner SA, Kainulainen MH, Carpenter A, Whitehill F, Wendling NM, Stoddard RA, Retchless AC, Uehara A, Tao Y, Li Y, Zhang J, Tong S, Barton Behravesh C. Epidemiologic and Genomic Evidence for Zoonotic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among People and Animals on a Michigan Mink Farm, United States, 2020. Viruses 2023; 15:2436. [PMID: 38140677 PMCID: PMC10747742 DOI: 10.3390/v15122436] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Farmed mink are one of few animals in which infection with SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in sustained transmission among a population and spillback from mink to people. In September 2020, mink on a Michigan farm exhibited increased morbidity and mortality rates due to confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We conducted an epidemiologic investigation to identify the source of initial mink exposure, assess the degree of spread within the facility's overall mink population, and evaluate the risk of further viral spread on the farm and in surrounding wildlife habitats. Three farm employees reported symptoms consistent with COVID-19 the same day that increased mortality rates were observed among the mink herd. One of these individuals, and another asymptomatic employee, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) 9 days later. All but one mink sampled on the farm were positive for SARS-CoV-2 based on nucleic acid detection from at least one oral, nasal, or rectal swab tested by RT-qPCR (99%). Sequence analysis showed high degrees of similarity between sequences from mink and the two positive farm employees. Epidemiologic and genomic data, including the presence of F486L and N501T mutations believed to arise through mink adaptation, support the hypothesis that the two employees with SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection contracted COVID-19 from mink. However, the specific source of virus introduction onto the farm was not identified. Three companion animals living with mink farm employees and 31 wild animals of six species sampled in the surrounding area were negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR. Results from this investigation support the necessity of a One Health approach to manage the zoonotic spread of SARS-CoV-2 and underscores the critical need for multifaceted public health approaches to prevent the introduction and spread of respiratory viruses on mink farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria R. Ghai
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Anne Straily
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Nora Wineland
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Jennifer Calogero
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Signs
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48909, USA
| | - Melissa Blievernicht
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | | | | | - Jillian A. Condrey
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | | | - Diana Riner
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI 48909, USA
| | - Nancy Barr
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Michele Schalow
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Jarold Goodrich
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Cheryl Collins
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lansing, MI 48933, USA
| | - Ausaf Ahmad
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - John Michael Metz
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Owen Herzegh
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Kelly Straka
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, MI 48909, USA
| | - Dustin M. Arsnoe
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Washington, DC 20250, USA
| | - Anthony G. Duffiney
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Washington, DC 20250, USA
| | - Susan A. Shriner
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Washington, DC 20250, USA
| | | | - Ann Carpenter
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Florence Whitehill
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Natalie M. Wendling
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Robyn A. Stoddard
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Adam C. Retchless
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Anna Uehara
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Ying Tao
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Yan Li
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Jing Zhang
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
| | - Suxiang Tong
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA; (R.R.G.)
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19
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Morozov I, Gaudreault NN, Trujillo JD, Indran SV, Cool K, Kwon T, Meekins DA, Balaraman V, Artiaga BL, Madden DW, McDowell C, Njaa B, Retallick J, Hainer N, Millership J, Wilson WC, Tkalcevic G, Vander Horst H, Burakova Y, King V, Hutchinson K, Hardham JM, Schwahn DJ, Kumar M, Richt JA. Preliminary Study on the Efficacy of a Recombinant, Subunit SARS-CoV-2 Animal Vaccine against Virulent SARS-CoV-2 Challenge in Cats. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1831. [PMID: 38140233 PMCID: PMC10747320 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a recombinant, subunit SARS-CoV-2 animal vaccine in cats against virulent SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Two groups of cats were immunized with two doses of either a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vaccine or a placebo, administered three weeks apart. Seven weeks after the second vaccination, both groups of cats were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 via the intranasal and oral routes simultaneously. Animals were monitored for 14 days post-infection for clinical signs and viral shedding before being humanely euthanized and evaluated for macroscopic and microscopic lesions. The recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein subunit vaccine induced strong serologic responses post-vaccination and significantly increased neutralizing antibody responses post-challenge. A significant difference in nasal and oral viral shedding, with significantly reduced virus load (detected using RT-qPCR) was observed in vaccinates compared to mock-vaccinated controls. Duration of nasal, oral, and rectal viral shedding was also significantly reduced in vaccinates compared to controls. No differences in histopathological lesion scores were noted between the two groups. Our findings support the safety and efficacy of the recombinant spike protein-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine which induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies and reduced nasal, oral, and rectal viral shedding, indicating that this vaccine will be efficacious as a COVID-19 vaccine for domestic cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Morozov
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Natasha N. Gaudreault
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Jessie D. Trujillo
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Sabarish V. Indran
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Konner Cool
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Taeyong Kwon
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - David A. Meekins
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Velmurugan Balaraman
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Bianca Libanori Artiaga
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Daniel W. Madden
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Chester McDowell
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
| | - Bradley Njaa
- Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (B.N.)
| | - Jamie Retallick
- Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA; (B.N.)
| | | | | | - William C. Wilson
- Foreign Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Juergen A. Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA (V.B.)
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20
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Chen D, López‐Pérez AM, Vernau KM, Maggs DJ, Kim S, Foley J. Prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) in shelter-housed cats in the Central Valley of California, USA. Vet Rec Open 2023; 10:e73. [PMID: 37868705 PMCID: PMC10589393 DOI: 10.1002/vro2.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Non-human animals are natural hosts for the virus causing COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) and a diversity of species appear susceptible to infection. Cats are of particular concern because of their close affiliation with humans and susceptibility to infection. Cats also harbour feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). Our objectives were to document the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and FECV in feline populations with high turnover and movement among households in the Central Valley of California, USA. Methods A cross-sectional study of 128 shelter and foster cats and kittens in the Central Valley of California was performed from July to December 2020. PCR was performed on rectal and oropharyngeal samples to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA and on rectal samples to detect FECV RNA. Results Among 163 rectal and oropharyngeal fluid samples gathered from sheltered and fostered cats and kittens in central California, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids were not detected from any cat or kitten. In contrast, FECV nucleic acids were detected in 18% of shelter-housed cats; 83% of these positive samples were collected from cats housed in adjacent cages. Conclusions These data may be helpful when considering the allocation of resources to minimise the harm of FECV and SARS-CoV-2 in household pets and shelter environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Chen
- Department of Medicine and EpidemiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Andrés M. López‐Pérez
- Department of Medicine and EpidemiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
- Red de Biología y Conservación de VertebradosInstituto de EcologíaXalapaMéxico
| | - Karen M. Vernau
- Department of Surgical and Radiological SciencesSchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - David J. Maggs
- Department of Surgical and Radiological SciencesSchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Soohyun Kim
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching HospitalSchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Janet Foley
- Department of Medicine and EpidemiologySchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCaliforniaUSA
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21
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Yamayoshi S, Ito M, Iwatsuki-Horimoto K, Yasuhara A, Okuda M, Hamabata T, Murakami J, Duong C, Yamamoto T, Kuroda Y, Maeda K, Kawaoka Y. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs and cats during the early and mid-pandemic periods in Japan. One Health 2023; 17:100588. [PMID: 37359748 PMCID: PMC10279464 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100588] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued to circulate in humans since its emergence in 2019. While infection in humans continues, numerous spillover events to at least 32 animal species, including companion and zoo animals, have been reported. Since dogs and cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and have direct contact with their owners and other household members, it is important to know the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats. Here, we established an ELISA to detect serum antibodies against the receptor-binding domain and the ectodomain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins. Using this ELISA, we assessed seroprevalence in 488 dog serum samples and 355 cat serum samples that were collected during the early pandemic period (between May and June of 2020) and 312 dog serum samples and 251 cat serum samples that were collected during the mid-pandemic period (between October 2021 and January 2022). We found that two dog serum samples (0.41%) collected in 2020, one cat serum sample (0.28%) collected in 2020, and four cat serum samples (1.6%) collected in 2021 were positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. No dog serum samples collected in 2021 were positive for these antibodies. We conclude that the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dogs and cats in Japan is low, suggesting that these animals are not a major SARS-CoV-2 reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiya Yamayoshi
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
- International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
- Research Center for Global Viral Infections, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Ito
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Atsuhiro Yasuhara
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Moe Okuda
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taiki Hamabata
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jurika Murakami
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Calvin Duong
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Yamamoto
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Yudai Kuroda
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Ken Maeda
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Division of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan
- Research Center for Global Viral Infections, National Center for Global Health and Medicine Research Institute, Japan
- The University of Tokyo Pandemic Preparedness, Infection and Advanced Research Center, Japan
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
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22
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Nerpel A, Käsbohrer A, Walzer C, Desvars-Larrive A. Data on SARS-CoV-2 events in animals: Mind the gap! One Health 2023; 17:100653. [PMID: 38024278 PMCID: PMC10665207 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100653] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Current research on SARS-CoV-2 has largely focused on the pandemic's impact on humans, with insufficient attention paid to monitoring, sharing, and communicating information about viral circulation and evolution in animal hosts. The objective of this study was to estimate and characterise the data gap between the number of SARS-CoV-2 cases and related deaths in animals officially notified to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) via its World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) and known cases reported through two other data sources: ProMED-mail and scientific papers. We used the previously published dataset SARS-ANI to retrieve SARS-CoV-2 events in animals published through WAHIS and ProMED-mail. Additionally, we generated SARS-ANI SciLit v1.0, a novel structured dataset of SARS-CoV-2 events in animals published through scientific literature retrieved from PubMed. We evidenced that at least 52.8% of the SARS-CoV-2 animal cases and 65.8% of the deaths were not reported to WAHIS during 29/02/2020-16/08/2022. Combining information from three different data sources, we compiled a new comprehensive list of 35 animal species reported as susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 under natural conditions, representing a significant advance from the figures reported by the WOAH and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Furthermore, we identified animal species that were underreported to the WAHIS and found that dogs and cats garnered the most attention in research studies. We also showed that, compared to the official WAHIS reports, scientific papers generally experienced longer publication lags and demonstrated that national strategies regarding reporting/publishing of SARS-CoV-2 events in animals greatly differed among countries. This analysis provides valuable insights into the patterns of reporting animal infections with SARS-CoV-2. The study emphasises the need for improvements in data sharing regarding SARS-CoV-2 events in animals, as this is crucial for effective One Health surveillance, prevention, and control of emerging diseases of zoonotic origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afra Nerpel
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Annemarie Käsbohrer
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Chris Walzer
- Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstrasse 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Amélie Desvars-Larrive
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Complexity Science Hub Vienna, Josefstaedter Strasse 39, 1080 Vienna, Austria
- VetFarm, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Kremesberg 13, 2563 Pottenstein, Austria
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23
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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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Bae DY, Yang JH, Moon SH, Kim WH, Yoo DS, Park CK, Shin YK, Kang HE, Tark D, Oh Y, Cho HS. Demonstration of SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Korean Native Cattle and Korean Native Black Goats in Korea. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3498. [PMID: 38003116 PMCID: PMC10668742 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 virus. A wide range of animals that interact with humans have been investigated to identify potential infections. As the extent of infection became more apparent, extensive animal monitoring became necessary to assess their susceptibility. This study analyzed nasal swabs and blood samples collected from randomly selected Korean native cattle and Korean native black goats. The tests conducted included real-time qPCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 antigens, an ELISA to detect antibodies, and a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) to determine the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Among the 1798 animals tested (consisting of 1174 Korean native cattle and 624 Korean native black goats), SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in one Korean native cattle and one Korean native black goat. ELISA testing revealed positive results for antibodies in 54 Korean native cattle (4.60%) and 16 Korean native black goats (2.56%), while PRNTs yielded positive results in 51 Korean native cattle (4.34%) and 14 Korean native black goats (2.24%). The presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens and/or antibodies was identified in animals on farms where farmworkers were already infected. It is challenging to completely rule out the possibility of reverse zoonotic transmission from humans to livestock in Korea, although the transmission is not to the same extent as it is in highly susceptible animal species like minks, cats, and dogs. This is due to the limited geographical area and the dense, intensive farming practices implemented in these regions. In conclusion, continuous viral circulation between humans and animals is inevitable, necessitating ongoing animal monitoring to ensure public health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Yun Bae
- Biosafety Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea; (D.-Y.B.); (S.-H.M.)
| | - Ju-Hee Yang
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54531, Republic of Korea; (J.-H.Y.); (D.T.)
| | - Sung-Hyun Moon
- Biosafety Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea; (D.-Y.B.); (S.-H.M.)
| | - Woo H. Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Animal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea;
| | - Dae-Sung Yoo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea;
| | - Choi-Kyu Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungbuk National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yeun-Kyung Shin
- Foreign Animal Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.S.); (H.-E.K.)
| | - Hae-Eun Kang
- Foreign Animal Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Republic of Korea; (Y.-K.S.); (H.-E.K.)
| | - Dongseob Tark
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54531, Republic of Korea; (J.-H.Y.); (D.T.)
| | - Yeonsu Oh
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Seong Cho
- Biosafety Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea; (D.-Y.B.); (S.-H.M.)
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25
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Gamble A, Olarte-Castillo XA, Whittaker GR. Backyard zoonoses: The roles of companion animals and peri-domestic wildlife. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadj0037. [PMID: 37851821 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The spillover of human infectious diseases from animal reservoirs is now well appreciated. However, societal and climate-related changes are affecting the dynamics of such interfaces. In addition to the disruption of traditional wildlife habitats, in part because of climate change and human demographics and behavior, there is an increasing zoonotic disease risk from companion animals. This includes such factors as the awareness of animals kept as domestic pets and increasing populations of free-ranging animals in peri-domestic environments. This review presents background and commentary focusing on companion and peri-domestic animals as disease risk for humans, taking into account the human-animal interface and population dynamics between the animals themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Gamble
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ximena A Olarte-Castillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Gary R Whittaker
- Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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26
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Sánchez-Morales L, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM, Domínguez L, Barroso-Arévalo S. A retrospective study of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in dogs and cats in the Community of Madrid, Spain. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1264172. [PMID: 37869682 PMCID: PMC10585060 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1264172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic animals including cats and dogs has been described. However, it is important to carry out passive surveillance of these animals to be aware of any changes in the outcomes of the disease in these species that may occur. In this study, we have performed a retrospective study in which we analyzed sera (n = 1,640) from random animals: dogs (n = 1,381) and cats (n = 259) belonging to both homes (n = 1,533) and animal protection centers (n = 107) in the Community of Madrid, Spain. Neutralizing antibodies were evaluated between November 2021 and May 2022 using a surrogate ELISA kit to determine the seroprevalence. Based on the results obtained, a few animals (both cats and dogs) presented neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (2.3%), all of them from private owners. However, the seroprevalence in cats (4.6%) resulted to be almost twice as much as in dogs (1.9%) which reinforces that cats' susceptibility to the infection seems higher than in the case of dogs, maybe due to the lower ACE2 expression of the dogs in the respiratory tract. These findings also confirm that the probability of infection is considerably higher in domestic animals in close contact with infected owners, compared to animals living in animal shelters whose contact with humans is markedly lower.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José M. Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucas Domínguez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Barroso-Arévalo
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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27
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Kuroda Y, Watanabe K, Yamamoto T, Suzuki H, Park ES, Ishijima K, Tatemoto K, Virhuez-Mendoza M, Inoue Y, Harada M, Nishino A, Sekizuka T, Kuroda M, Fujimoto T, Ishihara G, Horie R, Kawamoto K, Maeda K. Pet Animals Were Infected with SARS-CoV-2 from Their Owners Who Developed COVID-19: Case Series Study. Viruses 2023; 15:2028. [PMID: 37896805 PMCID: PMC10612050 DOI: 10.3390/v15102028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among pets owned by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has been reported around the world. However, how often the animals are exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by their owners is still unclear. We have collected swab samples from COVID-19 patients' pets and performed real-time RT-PCR to detect the viral genome. In total, 8 of 53 dogs (15.1%) and 5 of 34 cats (14.7%) tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 N gene. The result of a virus neutralization (VN) test also showed VN antibodies in four cats and six dogs. Our results indicate that the virus often passed from infected owners to their pets, which then excreted the virus despite having no or mild clinical signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudai Kuroda
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kei Watanabe
- Anicom Specialty Medical Institute Inc., Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Yamamoto
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Hiroki Suzuki
- Anicom Specialty Medical Institute Inc., Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Eun-sil Park
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Keita Ishijima
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Kango Tatemoto
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Milagros Virhuez-Mendoza
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yusuke Inoue
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Michiko Harada
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Ayano Nishino
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Sekizuka
- Pathogen Genomics Center, NIID, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- Pathogen Genomics Center, NIID, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Tsuguto Fujimoto
- Department of Fungal Infection, NIID, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Genki Ishihara
- Anicom Specialty Medical Institute Inc., Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Ryo Horie
- Anicom Specialty Medical Institute Inc., Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Kosuke Kawamoto
- Anicom Specialty Medical Institute Inc., Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
| | - Ken Maeda
- Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan
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28
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Galhardo JA, Barbosa DS, Kmetiuk LB, de Carvalho OV, Teixeira AIP, Fonseca PLC, de Araújo E Santos LCG, Queiroz DC, Miranda JVO, da Silva Filho AP, Castillo AP, Araujo RN, da Silveira JAG, Ristow LE, Brandespim DF, Pettan-Brewer C, de Sá Guimarães AM, Dutra V, de Morais HA, Dos Santos AP, Agopian RG, de Aguiar RS, Biondo AW. Molecular detection and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs of positive owners during the first COVID-19 wave in Brazil. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14418. [PMID: 37660200 PMCID: PMC10475019 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite previous reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs and cats worldwide, the type of swab sample used for its detection through RT-qPCR needs to be better compared and described. Accordingly, as part of a multicenter study in Brazil, the aim of the present study was to assess which rectal or oropharyngeal swabs would be more appropriate for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs, through viral load comparison. Pets of owners diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 7 days were eligible. A total of 148 animals from four of the five Brazilian geographical regions were analyzed, among which 10/48 cats (20.83%) and 11/100 dogs (11.00%) were positive. The results suggested that oropharyngeal swabs should be considered for SARS-CoV-2 detection, particularly in cats, due to the higher cDNA viral load. Also, the genomic results showed similarities between SARS-CoV-2 animal variants and human variants that were circulating at the time of sampling, thus corroborating the existence of zooanthroponotic transmission. In conclusion, the present study highlighted the importance of SARS-CoV-2 monitoring among cats and dogs, as virus modification may indicate the possibility of mutations in animals and spillover back to owners. Thus, positive individuals should always self-isolate from their pets during COVID-19, to prevent trans-species transmission and mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Arena Galhardo
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - David Soeiro Barbosa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Graduate College of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Otávio Valério de Carvalho
- Graduate College of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Izabel Passarella Teixeira
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Campus Paranaíba, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Paranaíba, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paula Luize Camargos Fonseca
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luiza Campos Guerra de Araújo E Santos
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniel Costa Queiroz
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Victor Oliveira Miranda
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Aluisio Pereira da Silva Filho
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Anisleidy Pérez Castillo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Nascimento Araujo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Eduardo Ristow
- Graduate College of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Daniel Friguglietti Brandespim
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Christina Pettan-Brewer
- Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ana Marcia de Sá Guimarães
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Valéria Dutra
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, MT, Brazil
| | | | - Andrea Pires Dos Santos
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | | | - Renato Santana de Aguiar
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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29
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Tinto B, Revel J, Virolle L, Chenet B, Reboul Salze F, Ortega A, Beltrame M, Simonin Y. Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Domestics and Exotic Animals in Southern France. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:426. [PMID: 37755888 PMCID: PMC10534723 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8090426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since late 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as a significant global threat to public health. Responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, this new coronavirus has prompted extensive scientific research to comprehend its transmission dynamics, especially among humans. However, as our understanding deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that SARS-CoV-2's impact goes beyond human populations. Recent investigations have illuminated the transmission of the virus between humans and various animal species, raising important questions about zoonotic spillover events and their potential implications for both human and animal health. Our study set out to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic animals (dogs and cats) and zoo animals in the south of France in 2021 and 2022, covering pre-Omicron and Omicron waves. We identified evidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies not only in domestic dogs and cats but also in several mammals in zoos. This study shows the importance of implementing surveillance measures, including serological studies, to identify and monitor cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bachirou Tinto
- Centre MURAZ, Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso;
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Etablissement Français du Sang, 34394 Montpellier, France;
| | - Justine Revel
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Etablissement Français du Sang, 34394 Montpellier, France;
| | - Laurie Virolle
- Parc de Lunaret—Zoo de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (L.V.); (B.C.)
| | - Baptiste Chenet
- Parc de Lunaret—Zoo de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (L.V.); (B.C.)
| | | | - Alix Ortega
- Sigean African Reserve, 11130 Sigean, France; (A.O.)
| | | | - Yannick Simonin
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Etablissement Français du Sang, 34394 Montpellier, France;
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30
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Jones S, Tyson GB, Orton RJ, Smollett K, Manna F, Kwok K, Suárez NM, Logan N, McDonald M, Bowie A, Filipe ADS, Willett BJ, Weir W, Hosie MJ. SARS-CoV-2 in Domestic UK Cats from Alpha to Omicron: Swab Surveillance and Case Reports. Viruses 2023; 15:1769. [PMID: 37632111 PMCID: PMC10459977 DOI: 10.3390/v15081769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Although domestic cats are susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2, the role of the virus in causing feline disease is less well defined. We conducted a large-scale study to identify SARS-CoV-2 infections in UK pet cats, using active and passive surveillance. Remnant feline respiratory swab samples, submitted for other pathogen testing between May 2021 and February 2023, were screened using RT-qPCR. In addition, we appealed to veterinarians for swab samples from cats suspected of having clinical SARS-CoV-2 infections. Bespoke testing for SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies was also performed, on request, in suspected cases. One RT-qPCR-positive cat was identified by active surveillance (1/549, 0.18%), during the Delta wave (1/175, 0.57%). Passive surveillance detected one cat infected with the Alpha variant, and two of ten cats tested RT-qPCR-positive during the Delta wave. No cats tested RT-qPCR-positive after the emergence of Omicron BA.1 and its descendants although 374 were tested by active and eleven by passive surveillance. We describe four cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pet cats, identified by RT-qPCR and/or serology, that presented with a range of clinical signs, as well as their SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences. These cases demonstrate that, although uncommon in cats, a variety of clinical signs can occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jones
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK (W.W.)
| | - Grace B. Tyson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK (W.W.)
| | - Richard J. Orton
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
| | - Katherine Smollett
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
| | - Federica Manna
- Bath Vet Referrals, Rosemary Lodge Veterinary Hospital, Wellsway, Bath BA2 5RL, UK
| | - Kirsty Kwok
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
| | - Nicolás M. Suárez
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
| | - Nicola Logan
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
| | - Michael McDonald
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK (W.W.)
| | - Andrea Bowie
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK (W.W.)
| | - Ana Da Silva Filipe
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
| | - Brian J. Willett
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
| | - William Weir
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK (W.W.)
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK; (G.B.T.)
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31
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Jaramillo Hernández DA, Chacón MC, Velásquez MA, Vásquez-Trujillo A, Sánchez AP, Salazar Garces LF, García GL, Velasco-Santamaría YM, Pedraza LN, Lesmes-Rodríguez LC. Seroprevalence of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in domestic dogs and cats and its relationship with COVID-19 cases in the city of Villavicencio, Colombia. F1000Res 2023; 11:1184. [PMID: 37965037 PMCID: PMC10643872 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.125780.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak, different animal species have been implicated as possible intermediate hosts that could facilitate the transmission of the virus between species. The detection of these hosts has intensified, reporting wild, zoo, farm, and pet animals. The goal of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulins (IgG) in domestic dogs and cats and its epidemiological association with the frequency of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Villavicencio, Colombia. Methods: 300 dogs and 135 cats were randomly selected in a two-stage distribution by clusters according to COVID-19 cases (positive RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2) within the human population distributed within the eight communes of Villavicencio. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was applied in order to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in sera samples. Kernel density estimation was used to compare the prevalence of COVID-19 cases with the seropositivity of dogs and cats. Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was 4.6% (95% CI=3.2-7.4). In canines, 3.67% (95% CI=2.1-6.4) and felines 6.67% (95% CI=3.6-12.18). Kernel density estimation indicated that seropositive cases were concentrated in the southwest region of the city. There was a positive association between SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in pet animals and their habitat in Commune 2 (adjusted OR=5.84; 95% CI=1.1-30.88). Spearman's correlation coefficients were weakly positive ( p=0.32) between the ratio of COVID-19 cases in November 2020 and the results for domestic dogs and cats from the eight communes of Villavicencio. Conclusions: In the present research cats were more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection than dogs. This study provides the first positive results of anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA serological tests in domestic dogs and cats in Colombia with information about the virus transmission dynamics in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Clara Chacón
- Programa de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Escuela de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Meta, 1745, Colombia
| | - María Alejandra Velásquez
- Programa de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Escuela de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Recursos Naturales, Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Meta, 1745, Colombia
| | - Adolfo Vásquez-Trujillo
- Escuela de Ciencias Animales, Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Meta, 1745, Colombia
| | - Ana Patricia Sánchez
- Secretaria de Salud Municipal, Alcaldía de Villavicencio, Villavicencio, Meta, 110221, Colombia
| | - Luis Fabian Salazar Garces
- Research and Development Department (DIDE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Technical University of Ambato, Ambato, Ambato, Av. Colombia and Chile s/n, Ecuador
| | - Gina Lorena García
- Escuela de Ciencias Animales, Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Meta, 1745, Colombia
| | | | - Luz Natalia Pedraza
- Escuela de Ciencias Animales, Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Meta, 1745, Colombia
| | - Lida Carolina Lesmes-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología & Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería, Universidad de los Llanos, Villavicencio, Meta, 1745, Colombia
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Ehrlich M, Madden C, McBride DS, Nolting JM, Huey D, Kenney S, Wang Q, Saif LJ, Vlasova A, Dennis P, Lombardi D, Gibson S, McLaine A, Lauterbach S, Yaxley P, Winston JA, Diaz-Campos D, Pesapane R, Flint M, Flint J, Junge R, Faith SA, Bowman AS, Hale VL. Lack of SARS-CoV-2 Viral RNA Detection among a Convenience Sampling of Ohio Wildlife, Companion, and Agricultural Animals, 2020-2021. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2554. [PMID: 37627345 PMCID: PMC10451347 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in humans in late 2019 and spread rapidly, becoming a global pandemic. A zoonotic spillover event from animal to human was identified as the presumed origin. Subsequently, reports began emerging regarding spillback events resulting in SARS-CoV-2 infections in multiple animal species. These events highlighted critical links between animal and human health while also raising concerns about the development of new reservoir hosts and potential viral mutations that could alter the virulence and transmission or evade immune responses. Characterizing susceptibility, prevalence, and transmission between animal species became a priority to help protect animal and human health. In this study, we coalesced a large team of investigators and community partners to surveil for SARS-CoV-2 in domestic and free-ranging animals around Ohio between May 2020 and August 2021. We focused on species with known or predicted susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, highly congregated or medically compromised animals (e.g., shelters, barns, veterinary hospitals), and animals that had frequent contact with humans (e.g., pets, agricultural animals, zoo animals, or animals in wildlife hospitals). This included free-ranging deer (n = 76 individuals), free-ranging mink (n = 57), multiple species of bats (n = 59), and other wildlife in addition to domestic cats (n = 275) and pigs (n = 184). In total, we tested 792 individual animals (34 species) via rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was not detected in any of the tested animals despite a major peak in human SARS-CoV-2 cases that occurred in Ohio subsequent to the peak of animal samplings. Importantly, we did not test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this study, which limited our ability to assess exposure. While the results of this study were negative, the surveillance effort was critical and remains key to understanding, predicting, and preventing the re-emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in humans or animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Ehrlich
- College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Christopher Madden
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Dillon S. McBride
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Jacqueline M. Nolting
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Devra Huey
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Scott Kenney
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Qiuhong Wang
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Linda J. Saif
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Anastasia Vlasova
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center for Food Animal Health, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Patricia Dennis
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
- Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland, OH 44144, USA
| | | | | | - Alexis McLaine
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Sarah Lauterbach
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Page Yaxley
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jenessa A. Winston
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center of Microbiome Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Dubraska Diaz-Campos
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Risa Pesapane
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Mark Flint
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Jaylene Flint
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Randy Junge
- Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, Powell, OH 43065, USA
| | - Seth A. Faith
- Center of Microbiome Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Andrew S. Bowman
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
| | - Vanessa L. Hale
- Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA (A.V.)
- Center of Microbiome Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Tyson GB, Jones S, Montreuil-Spencer C, Logan N, Scott S, Sasvari H, McDonald M, Marshall L, Murcia PR, Willett BJ, Weir W, Hosie MJ. Increase in SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in UK Domestic Felids Despite Weak Immunogenicity of Post-Omicron Variants. Viruses 2023; 15:1661. [PMID: 37632004 PMCID: PMC10458763 DOI: 10.3390/v15081661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infections in domestic cats have caused concern for both animal health and the potential for inter-species transmission. Cats are known to be susceptible to the Omicron variant and its descendants, however, the feline immune response to these variants is not well defined. We aimed to estimate the current seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in UK pet cats, as well as characterise the neutralising antibody response to the Omicron (BA.1) variant. A neutralising seroprevalence of 4.4% and an overall seroprevalence of 13.9% was observed. Both purebred and male cats were found to have the highest levels of seroprevalence, as well as cats aged between two and five years. The Omicron variant was found to have a lower immunogenicity in cats than the B.1, Alpha and Delta variants, which reflects previous reports of immune and vaccine evasion in humans. These results further underline the importance of surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infections in UK cats as the virus continues to evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace B. Tyson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Sarah Jones
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Chloe Montreuil-Spencer
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Nicola Logan
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Sam Scott
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Hagar Sasvari
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Michael McDonald
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Leigh Marshall
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Pablo R. Murcia
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Brian J. Willett
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - William Weir
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Margaret J. Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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34
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Fischer EAJ, Broens EM, Kooistra HS, De Rooij MMT, Stegeman JA, De Jong MCM. Contribution of cats and dogs to SARS-CoV-2 transmission in households. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1151772. [PMID: 37519992 PMCID: PMC10375487 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1151772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction SARS-CoV-2 is known to jump across species. The occurrence of transmission in households between humans and companion animals has been shown, but the contribution of companion animals to the overall transmission within a household is unknown. The basic reproduction number (R0) is an important indicator to quantify transmission. For a pathogen with multiple host species, such as SARS-CoV-2, the basic reproduction number needs to be calculated from the partial reproduction numbers for each combination of host species. Method In this study, the basic and partial reproduction numbers for SARS-CoV-2 were estimated by reanalyzing a survey of Dutch households with dogs and cats and minimally one SARS-CoV-2-infected human. Results For households with cats, a clear correlation between the number of cats and the basic reproduction number (Spearman's correlation: p 0.40, p-value: 1.4 × 10-5) was identified, while for dogs, the correlation was smaller and not significant (Spearman's correlation: p 0.12, p-value: 0.21). Partial reproduction numbers from cats or dogs to humans were 0.3 (0.0-2.0) and 0.3 (0.0-3.5) and from humans to cats or dogs were 0.6 (0.4-0.8) and 0.6 (0.4-0.9). Discussion Thus, the estimations of within-household transmission indicated the likelihood of transmission from these companion animals to humans and vice versa, but the observational nature of this study limited the ability to establish conclusive evidence. This study's findings support the advice provided during the pandemic to COVID-19 patients to maintain distance from companion animals as a precautionary measure and given the possibility of transmission, although there is an overall relatively limited impact on the pandemic when compared to human-to-human transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Els M. Broens
- Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Hans S. Kooistra
- Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Mart C. M. De Jong
- Department of Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Feng A, Bevins S, Chandler J, DeLiberto TJ, Ghai R, Lantz K, Lenoch J, Retchless A, Shriner S, Tang CY, Tong SS, Torchetti M, Uehara A, Wan XF. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in free-ranging white-tailed deer in the United States. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4078. [PMID: 37429851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic virus with documented bi-directional transmission between people and animals. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) poses a unique public health risk due to the potential for reservoir establishment where variants may persist and evolve. We collected 8,830 respiratory samples from free-ranging white-tailed deer across Washington, D.C. and 26 states in the United States between November 2021 and April 2022. We obtained 391 sequences and identified 34 Pango lineages including the Alpha, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants. Evolutionary analyses showed these white-tailed deer viruses originated from at least 109 independent spillovers from humans, which resulted in 39 cases of subsequent local deer-to-deer transmission and three cases of potential spillover from white-tailed deer back to humans. Viruses repeatedly adapted to white-tailed deer with recurring amino acid substitutions across spike and other proteins. Overall, our findings suggest that multiple SARS-CoV-2 lineages were introduced, became enzootic, and co-circulated in white-tailed deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijing Feng
- Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Sarah Bevins
- USDA APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jeff Chandler
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Ria Ghai
- One Health Office, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kristina Lantz
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Julianna Lenoch
- USDA APHIS Wildlife Services National Wildlife Disease Program, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Adam Retchless
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Susan Shriner
- National Wildlife Research Center, Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Cynthia Y Tang
- Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Suxiang Sue Tong
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mia Torchetti
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Anna Uehara
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Xiu-Feng Wan
- Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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36
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Dusseldorp F, Bruins-van-Sonsbeek LGR, Buskermolen M, Niphuis H, Dirven M, Whelan J, Oude Munnink BB, Koopmans M, Fanoy EB, Sikkema RS, Tjon-A-Tsien A. SARS-CoV-2 in lions, gorillas and zookeepers in the Rotterdam Zoo, the Netherlands, a One Health investigation, November 2021. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2200741. [PMID: 37440347 PMCID: PMC10347891 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.28.2200741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In November 2021, seven western lowland gorillas and four Asiatic lions were diagnosed with COVID-19 at Rotterdam Zoo. An outbreak investigation was undertaken to determine the source and extent of the outbreak and to identify possible transmission routes. Interviews were conducted with staff to identify human and animal contacts and cases, compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) and potential transmission routes. Human and animal contacts and other animal species suspected to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Positive samples were subjected to sequencing. All the gorillas and lions that could be tested (3/7 and 2/4, respectively) were RT-PCR positive between 12 November and 10 December 2021. No other animal species were SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive. Forty direct and indirect human contacts were identified. Two direct contacts tested RT-PCR positive 10 days after the first COVID-19 symptoms in animals. The zookeepers' viral genome sequences clustered with those of gorillas and lions. Personal protective equipment compliance was suboptimal at instances. Findings confirm transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among animals and between humans and animals but source and directionality could not be established. Zookeepers were the most likely source and should have periodic PPE training. Sick animals should promptly be tested and isolated/quarantined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Henk Niphuis
- Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jane Whelan
- Public Health Services Rotterdam Rijnmond, the Netherlands
| | - Bas B Oude Munnink
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marion Koopmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ewout B Fanoy
- Public Health Services Rotterdam Rijnmond, the Netherlands
| | - Reina S Sikkema
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Kuchipudi SV, Tan C, van Dorp L, Lichtveld M, Pickering B, Bowman J, Mubareka S, Balloux F. Coordinated surveillance is essential to monitor and mitigate the evolutionary impacts of SARS-CoV-2 spillover and circulation in animal hosts. Nat Ecol Evol 2023; 7:956-959. [PMID: 37231305 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02082-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Suresh V Kuchipudi
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Cedric Tan
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Lucy van Dorp
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maureen Lichtveld
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bradley Pickering
- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Preventative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jeff Bowman
- Wildlife Research and Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samira Mubareka
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Ramasamy S, Gontu A, Neerukonda S, Ruggiero D, Morrow B, Gupta S, Amirthalingam S, Hardham JM, Lizer JT, Yon M, Nissly RH, Jakka P, Chothe SK, LaBella LC, Tewari D, Nair MS, Kuchipudi SV. SARS-CoV-2 Prevalence and Variant Surveillance among Cats in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Viruses 2023; 15:1493. [PMID: 37515180 PMCID: PMC10386599 DOI: 10.3390/v15071493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects many mammals, and SARS-CoV-2 circulation in nonhuman animals may increase the risk of novel variant emergence. Cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and there were cases of virus transmission between cats and humans. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variant infection of cats in an urban setting. We investigated the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variant infections in domestic and community cats in the city of Pittsburgh (n = 272). While no cats tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, 35 cats (12.86%) tested SARS-CoV-2-antibody-positive. Further, we compared a cat-specific experimental lateral flow assay (eLFA) and species-agnostic surrogate virus neutralization assay (sVNT) for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection in cats (n = 71). The eLFA demonstrated 100% specificity compared to sVNT. The eLFA also showed 100% sensitivity for sera with >90% inhibition and 63.63% sensitivity for sera with 40-89% inhibition in sVNT. Using a variant-specific pseudovirus neutralization assay (pVNT) and antigen cartography, we found the presence of antibodies to pre-Omicron and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants. Hence, this approach proves valuable in identifying cat exposure to different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Our results highlight the continued exposure of cats to SARS-CoV-2 and warrant coordinated surveillance efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhamani Ramasamy
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Abhinay Gontu
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Diana Ruggiero
- S.R. Scientific LLC, 5854 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Becky Morrow
- S.R. Scientific LLC, 5854 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
- Frankie's Friends, 740 5th Ave, New Kensington, PA 15068, USA
| | - Sheweta Gupta
- S.R. Scientific LLC, 5854 Ellsworth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA
| | - Saranya Amirthalingam
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | | | - Michele Yon
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Ruth H Nissly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Padmaja Jakka
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Shubhada K Chothe
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Lindsey C LaBella
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Deepanker Tewari
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, Harrisburg, PA 17110, USA
| | - Meera Surendran Nair
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Suresh V Kuchipudi
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Huck Institute of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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39
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Gerhards NM, Gonzales JL, Vreman S, Ravesloot L, van den Brand JMA, Doekes HP, Egberink HF, Stegeman A, Oreshkova N, van der Poel WHM, de Jong MCM. Efficient Direct and Limited Environmental Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage B.1.22 in Domestic Cats. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0255322. [PMID: 37222603 PMCID: PMC10269887 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02553-22] [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: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The susceptibility of domestic cats to infection with SARS-CoV-2 has been demonstrated by several experimental studies and field observations. We performed an extensive study to further characterize the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 between cats, through both direct and indirect contact. To that end, we estimated the transmission rate parameter and the decay parameter for infectivity in the environment. Using four groups of pair-transmission experiment, all donor (inoculated) cats became infected, shed virus, and seroconverted, while three out of four direct contact cats got infected, shed virus, and two of those seroconverted. One out of eight cats exposed to a SARS-CoV-2-contaminated environment became infected but did not seroconvert. Statistical analysis of the transmission data gives a reproduction number R0 of 2.18 (95% CI = 0.92 to 4.08), a transmission rate parameter β of 0.23 day-1 (95% CI = 0.06 to 0.54), and a virus decay rate parameter μ of 2.73 day-1 (95% CI = 0.77 to 15.82). These data indicate that transmission between cats is efficient and can be sustained (R0 > 1), however, the infectiousness of a contaminated environment decays rapidly (mean duration of infectiousness 1/2.73 days). Despite this, infections of cats via exposure to a SARS-CoV-2-contaminated environment cannot be discounted if cats are exposed shortly after contamination. IMPORTANCE This article provides additional insight into the risk of infection that could arise from cats infected with SARS-CoV-2 by using epidemiological models to determine transmission parameters. Considering that transmission parameters are not always provided in the literature describing transmission experiments in animals, we demonstrate that mathematical analysis of experimental data is crucial to estimate the likelihood of transmission. This article is also relevant to animal health professionals and authorities involved in risk assessments for zoonotic spill-overs of SARS-CoV-2. Last but not least, the mathematical models to calculate transmission parameters are applicable to analyze the experimental transmission of other pathogens between animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora M. Gerhards
- Department of Bioinformatics, Epidemiology and Animal Models, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Jose L. Gonzales
- Department of Bioinformatics, Epidemiology and Animal Models, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Vreman
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interactions and Diagnostic Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Lars Ravesloot
- Department of Bacteriology, Host-Pathogen Interactions and Diagnostic Development, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | | | - Harmen P. Doekes
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Herman F. Egberink
- Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Section Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Stegeman
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Veterinary Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Nadia Oreshkova
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Wim H. M. van der Poel
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Mart C. M. de Jong
- Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Cupertino MDC, Freitas AND, Meira GSB, Silva PAMD, Pires SDS, Cosendey TDA, Fernandes TM, Mayers NAJ, Siqueira-Batista R. COVID-19 and One Health: potential role of human and animals in SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. SCIENCE IN ONE HEALTH 2023; 2:100017. [PMID: 39077046 PMCID: PMC10238119 DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2023.100017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans has zoonotic tendencies, which can potentially provoke cross-species transmission, including human-to-animal and animal-to-human infection. Consequently, the objective was to analyze the scientific evidence regarding SARS-CoV-2 animal infections from potential human transmission. A systematic review was executed following the PRISMA guidelines, in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar and LILACS, using the descriptors combined in the following way: (("SARS-CoV-2" OR "COVID-19" OR "2019-nCoV") AND (animals OR zoonosis)). The results contemplated the viral susceptibility of about thirty animal species when induced naturally and/or experimentally. The mink & hamster species demonstrated ostensible animal-to-human transmission. Overall, there have been more reports of human contamination by other species than human retransmission from the pathogen. The natural infection of the virus was discovered in domestic dogs & cats, wild cats, deer, minks, rabbits and hamsters. Several animals, including the African green monkeys and rabbits, manifested high levels of viremia, respiratory secretions and fecal excretions of infectious virus conducive to environmental/aerosol transmission. It is still inadequately documented the intrinsic role of such processes, such as the animals' involvement in viral mutations, the emergence of new variants/lineages and the role of the animal host species. Accordingly, this research model type, natural and experimental analysis on varying animal species, corroborates the link between the two aforementioned forms of transmission. Epidemiological surveillance through extensive sequencing of the viral genomes of infected animals and humans can reveal the SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes and anticipate appropriate prophylactic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marli do Carmo Cupertino
- School of Medicine, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga (FADIP), Ponte Nova, MG, Brazil
- Department of Medicine and Nursing, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG, Brazil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Ana Nery Dias Freitas
- School of Medicine, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga (FADIP), Ponte Nova, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sarah de Souza Pires
- School of Medicine, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga (FADIP), Ponte Nova, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Rodrigo Siqueira-Batista
- School of Medicine, Faculdade Dinâmica do Vale do Piranga (FADIP), Ponte Nova, MG, Brazil
- Department of Medicine and Nursing, Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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41
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Apaa T, Withers AJ, Staley C, Blanchard A, Bennett M, Bremner-Harrison S, Chadwick EA, Hailer F, Harrison SWR, Loose M, Mathews F, Tarlinton R. Sarbecoviruses of British horseshoe bats; sequence variation and epidemiology. J Gen Virol 2023; 104. [PMID: 37319000 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Horseshoe bats are the natural hosts of the Sarbecovirus subgenus that includes SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV- 2. Despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still little known about the underlying epidemiology and virology of sarbecoviruses in their natural hosts, leaving large gaps in our pandemic preparedness. Here we describe the results of PCR testing for sarbecoviruses in the two horseshoe bat species (Rhinolophus hipposideros and R. ferrumequinum) present in Great Britain, collected in 2021-22 during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred and ninety seven R. hipposideros samples from 33 roost sites and 277 R. ferrumequinum samples from 20 roost sites were tested. No coronaviruses were detected in any samples from R. ferrumequinum whereas 44 and 56 % of individual and pooled (respectively) faecal samples from R. hipposideros across multiple roost sites tested positive in a sarbecovirus-specific qPCR. Full genome sequences were generated from three of the positive samples (and partial genomes from two more) using Illumina RNAseq on unenriched samples. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the obtained sequences belong to the same monophyletic clade, with >95 % similarity to previously-reported European isolates from R. hipposideros. The sequences differed in the presence or absence of accessory genes ORF 7b, 9b and 10. All lacked the furin cleavage site of SARS-CoV-2 spike gene and are therefore unlikely to be infective for humans. These results demonstrate a lack, or at least low incidence, of SARS-CoV-2 spill over from humans to susceptible GB bats, and confirm that sarbecovirus infection is widespread in R. hipposideros. Despite frequently sharing roost sites with R. ferrumequinum, no evidence of cross-species transmission was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ternenge Apaa
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, UK
| | - Amy J Withers
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
- Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, UK
| | - Ceri Staley
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Adam Blanchard
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Samantha Bremner-Harrison
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, UK
- Vincent Wildlife Trust, Herefordshire, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Chadwick
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, UK
- Organisms and Environment, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Frank Hailer
- Organisms and Environment, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Stephen W R Harrison
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, UK
| | - Matthew Loose
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Fiona Mathews
- School of Life sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Rachael Tarlinton
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
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Tyson GB, Jones S, Logan N, McDonald M, Marshall L, Murcia PR, Willett BJ, Weir W, Hosie MJ. SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Cross-Variant Antibody Neutralization in Cats, United Kingdom. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1223-1227. [PMID: 37141617 PMCID: PMC10202862 DOI: 10.3201/eid2906.221755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to pet cats highlights the importance of monitoring felids for exposure to circulating variants. We tested cats in the United Kingdom for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; seroprevalence peaked during September 2021-February 2022. The variant-specific response in cats trailed circulating variants in humans, indicating multiple human-to-cat transmissions over a prolonged period.
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Cardoso NP, Rivero C, Castillo M, Mansilla FC, Pastorino F, Piccirilli G, Alonso L, Martínez G, Lullo DD, Bentancor LV, Capozzo AV. Serological screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals of Buenos Aires suburbs. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1161820. [PMID: 37323839 PMCID: PMC10266215 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1161820] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a zoonotic disease caused by the pandemic virus SARS-CoV-2. Domestic and wild animals are susceptible to infection and are potential reservoirs for virus variants. To date, there is no information about the exposure of companion animals in Buenos Aires Suburbs, the area with the largest population in Argentina where the highest number of COVID-19 human cases occurred during the first infection wave. Here we developed a multi-species indirect ELISA to measure antibodies reactive to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) from several vertebrates constituting the class Mammalia, making it a valuable tool for field serosurveillance. The ELISA cut-off value was estimated by sera from dogs, cats, cattle, and pigs sampled before 2019 (n = 170), considering a 98% percentile and a grey zone to completely exclude any false positive result. Specificity was confirmed by measuring levels of neutralizing antibodies against canine coronavirus, the avidity of specific antibodies, and their capacity to impede the binding of a recombinant RBD protein to VERO cells in an In-Cell ELISA. Sera from 464 cats and dogs sampled in 2020 and 2021 ("pandemic" samples) were assessed using the RBD-ELISA. Information on COVID-19 disease in the household and the animals' lifestyles was collected. In Buenos Aires Suburbs cats were infected at a higher proportion than dogs, seroprevalence was 7.1 and 1.68%, respectively. Confirmed COVID-19 in the caregivers and outdoor lifestyle were statistically associated with seropositivity in cats. The risk of cats getting infected living indoors in COVID-19-negative households was null. The susceptibility of mammals to SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission between animals themselves and humans, together with the free-roaming lifestyle typical of Buenos Aires suburban companion animals, urge pursuing responsible animal care and avoiding human interaction with animals during the disease course. The multi-species RBD-ELISA we developed can be used as a tool for serosurveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in mammalians (domestic and wild), guiding further targeted virological analyses to encounter susceptible species, interspecies transmission, and potential virus reservoirs in our region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Patricia Cardoso
- Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas “IVIT”, CONICET-INTA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla Rivero
- Instituto de Estudios para el Desarrollo Productivo y la Innovación, Universidad Nacional de José Clemente Paz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariangeles Castillo
- Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas “IVIT”, CONICET-INTA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Florencia Pastorino
- Departamento Zoonosis Urbanas, Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Guadalupe Piccirilli
- Departamento Zoonosis Urbanas, Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Alonso
- Departamento Zoonosis Urbanas, Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Martínez
- Departamento Zoonosis Urbanas, Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - David Di Lullo
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo “IMSaTeD”, CONICET-UNSE, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
| | - Leticia Veronica Bentancor
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Estudios para el Desarrollo Productivo y la Innovación, Universidad Nacional de José Clemente Paz, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Victoria Capozzo
- Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas “IVIT”, CONICET-INTA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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44
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Pandit R, Matthews QL. A SARS-CoV-2: Companion Animal Transmission and Variants Classification. Pathogens 2023; 12:775. [PMID: 37375465 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous emergence of novel viruses and their diseases are a threat to global public health as there have been three outbreaks of coronaviruses that are highly pathogenic to humans in the span of the last two decades, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV in 2002, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV in 2012, and novel SARS-CoV-2 which emerged in 2019. The unprecedented spread of SARS-CoV-2 worldwide has given rise to multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants that have either altered transmissibility, infectivity, or immune escaping ability, causing diseases in a broad range of animals including human and non-human hosts such as companion, farm, zoo, or wild animals. In this review, we have discussed the recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, potential animal reservoirs, and natural infections in companion and farm animals, with a particular focus on SARS-CoV-2 variants. The expeditious development of COVID-19 vaccines and the advancements in antiviral therapeutics have contained the COVID-19 pandemic to some extent; however, extensive research and surveillance concerning viral epidemiology, animal transmission, variants, or seroprevalence in diverse hosts are essential for the future eradication of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachana Pandit
- Microbiology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
| | - Qiana L Matthews
- Microbiology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
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Vedelago C, Li J, Lowry K, Howard C, Wuethrich A, Trau M. A Multiplexed SERS Microassay for Accurate Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Variants of Concern. ACS Sens 2023; 8:1648-1657. [PMID: 37026968 PMCID: PMC10081832 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c02782] [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: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants play an important role in predicting patient outcome during postinfection, and with growing fears of COVID-19 reservoirs in domestic and wild animals, it is necessary to adapt detection systems for variant detection. However, variant-specific detection remains challenging. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering is a sensitive and multiplexing technique that allows the simultaneous detection of multiple targets for accurate identification. Here we propose the development of a multiplex SERS microassay to detect both the spike and nucleocapsid structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The designed SERS microassay integrates gold-silver hollow nanobox barcodes and electrohydrodynamically induced nanomixing which in combination enables highly specific and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 and the S-protein epitopes to delineate between ancestral prevariant strains with the newer variants of concern, Delta and Omicron. The microassay allows detection from as low as 20 virus/μL and 50 pg/mL RBD protein and can clearly identify the virus among infected versus healthy nasopharyngeal swabs, with the potential to identify between variants. The detection of both S- and N-proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and the differentiation of variants on the SERS microassay can aid the early detection of COVID-19 to reduce transmission rates and lead into adequate treatments for those severely affected by the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Vedelago
- Centre for Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian
Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of
Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Junrong Li
- Centre for Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian
Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of
Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Kym Lowry
- The Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases (QIPD)
Sakzewski Research Group, Queensland Children’s
Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
- University of Queensland Centre for
Clinical Research (UQCCR), Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital,
Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Christopher Howard
- Centre for Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian
Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of
Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alain Wuethrich
- Centre for Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian
Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of
Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Matt Trau
- Centre for Personalised Nanomedicine, Australian
Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of
Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences,
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072,
Australia
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46
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Lenguiya LH, Fritz M, De Fonclare DDR, Corbet S, Becquart P, Mbou C, Nguie RJ, Mouellet WS, Demboux JEL, Issamou Mayengue P, Koukouikila-Koussounda F, Ar Gouilh M, Leroy EM, Niama FR. Whole-Genome Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Reveals Simultaneous Circulation of Three Variants and a Putative Recombination (20B/20H) in Pets, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040933. [PMID: 37112914 PMCID: PMC10142050 DOI: 10.3390/v15040933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, cases of pets infected with variants circulating among humans were reported. In order to evaluate the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 circulation among pets in the Republic of the Congo, we conducted a ten-month study of dogs and cats living in COVID-19-positive households in Brazzaville and neighboring localities. Real-time PCR and the Luminex platform were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 RBD and S proteins, respectively. Our results show for the first time the simultaneous circulation of several variants of SARS-CoV-2, including viruses from clades 20A and 20H and a putative recombinant variant between viruses from clades 20B and 20H. We found a high seroprevalence of 38.6%, with 14% of tested pets positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Thirty-four percent of infected pets developed mild clinical signs, including respiratory and digestive signs, and shed the virus for about one day to two weeks. These results highlight the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 interspecies transmission and the benefits of a "One Health" approach that includes SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and surveillance of viral diversity in pets. This approach aims to prevent transmission to surrounding wildlife as well as spillback to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthieu Fritz
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Unité Mixte de Recherche Mivegec, BP34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Daphné de Riols De Fonclare
- UNICAEN, Department of Viroloy, University of Rouen Normandie, Inserm Dynamicure UMR 1311, BP14000 Caen, France
| | - Sandrine Corbet
- UNICAEN, Department of Viroloy, University of Rouen Normandie, Inserm Dynamicure UMR 1311, BP14000 Caen, France
| | - Pierre Becquart
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Unité Mixte de Recherche Mivegec, BP34090 Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Pembe Issamou Mayengue
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville BP69, Congo
- Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, Brazzaville BP120, Congo
| | - Félix Koukouikila-Koussounda
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville BP69, Congo
- Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, Brazzaville BP120, Congo
| | - Meriadeg Ar Gouilh
- UNICAEN, Department of Viroloy, University of Rouen Normandie, Inserm Dynamicure UMR 1311, BP14000 Caen, France
| | - Eric M Leroy
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Unité Mixte de Recherche Mivegec, BP34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Fabien Roch Niama
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville BP69, Congo
- Laboratoire National de Santé Publique, Brazzaville BP120, Congo
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Brnić D, Lojkić I, Krešić N, Zrnčić V, Ružanović L, Mikuletič T, Bosilj M, Steyer A, Keros T, Habrun B, Jemeršić L. Circulation of SARS-CoV-Related Coronaviruses and Alphacoronaviruses in Bats from Croatia. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040959. [PMID: 37110383 PMCID: PMC10143505 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bats are natural hosts of various coronaviruses (CoVs), including human CoVs, via an assumed direct zoonotic spillover or intermediate animal host. The present study aimed to investigate the circulation of CoVs in a bat colony in the Mediterranean region of Croatia. Guano and individual droppings from four bat species were sampled and tested with the E-gene sarbecovirus RT-qPCR, the pan-CoV semi-nested RT-PCR targeting the RdRp gene and NGS. Furthermore, bat blood samples were investigated for the presence of sarbecovirus-specific antibodies with the surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). The initial testing showed E-gene Sarebeco RT-qPCR reactivity in 26% of guano samples while the bat droppings tested negative. The application of RdRp semi-nested RT-PCR and NGS revealed the circulation of bat alpha- and betaCoVs. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the clustering of betaCoV sequence with SARS-CoV-related bat sarbecoviruses and alpha-CoV sequences with representatives of the Minunacovirus subgenus. The results of sVNT show that 29% of bat sera originated from all four species that tested positive. Our results are the first evidence of the circulation of SARS-CoV-related coronaviruses in bats from Croatia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragan Brnić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Lojkić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nina Krešić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vida Zrnčić
- Croatian Biospeleological Society, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lea Ružanović
- Croatian Biospeleological Society, Demetrova 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tina Mikuletič
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martin Bosilj
- National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food, Grablovičeva 44, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Steyer
- National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food, Grablovičeva 44, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tomislav Keros
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Boris Habrun
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lorena Jemeršić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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48
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Zhang H, Jin H, Yan F, Song Y, Dai J, Jiao C, Bai Y, Sun J, Liu D, Wang S, Zhang M, Lu J, Huang J, Huang P, Li Y, Xia X, Wang H. An inactivated recombinant rabies virus chimerically expressed RBD induces humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and RABV. Virol Sin 2023; 38:244-256. [PMID: 36587795 PMCID: PMC9797420 DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect various animals and transmit among animals, and even to humans, posing a threat to humans and animals. There is an urgent need to develop inexpensive and efficient animal vaccines to prevent and control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in animals. Rabies virus (RABV) is another important zoonotic pathogen that infects almost all warm-blooded animals and poses a great public health threat. The present study constructed two recombinant chimeric viruses expressing the S1 and RBD proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan01 strain based on a reverse genetic system of the RABV SRV9 strain and evaluated their immunogenicity in mice, cats and dogs. The results showed that both inactivated recombinant viruses induced durable neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and RABV and a strong cellular immune response in mice. Notably, inactivated SRV-nCoV-RBD induced earlier antibody production than SRV-nCoV-S1, which was maintained at high levels for longer periods. Inactivated SRV-nCoV-RBD induced neutralizing antibodies against both SARS-CoV-2 and RABV in cats and dogs, with a relatively broad-spectrum cross-neutralization capability against the SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron, showing potential to be used as a safe bivalent vaccine candidate against COVID-19 and rabies in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haili Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Hongli Jin
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China; Changchun Sino Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Feihu Yan
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Yumeng Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Jiaxin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Cuicui Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Yujie Bai
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Jingxuan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Di Liu
- Changchun Sino Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Shen Wang
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Mengyao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Jilong Lu
- Changchun Sino Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Changchun, 130012, China
| | - Jingbo Huang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Pei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Xianzhu Xia
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Hualei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
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Michelitsch A, Allendorf V, Conraths FJ, Gethmann J, Schulz J, Wernike K, Denzin N. SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Clinical Signs in Cats and Dogs from Confirmed Positive Households in Germany. Viruses 2023; 15:v15040837. [PMID: 37112817 PMCID: PMC10144952 DOI: 10.3390/v15040837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
On a global scale, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses a serious threat to the health of the human population. Not only humans can be infected, but also their companion animals. The antibody status of 115 cats and 170 dogs, originating from 177 German households known to have been SARS-CoV-2 positive, was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the results were combined with information gathered from a questionnaire that was completed by the owner(s) of the animals. The true seroprevalences of SARS-CoV-2 among cats and dogs were 42.5% (95% CI 33.5–51.9) and 56.8% (95% CI 49.1–64.4), respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression accounting for data clustered in households, for cats, the number of infected humans in the household and an above-average contact intensity turned out to be significant risk factors; contact with humans outside the household was a protective factor. For dogs, on the contrary, contact outside the household was a risk factor, and reduced contact, once the human infection was known, was a significant protective factor. No significant association was found between reported clinical signs in animals and their antibody status, and no spatial clustering of positive test results was identified.
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Kwon T, Gaudreault NN, Cool K, McDowell CD, Morozov I, Richt JA. Stability of SARS-CoV-2 in Biological Fluids of Animals. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030761. [PMID: 36992470 PMCID: PMC10058514 DOI: 10.3390/v15030761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its first emergence in 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has continued to evolve genetically, jump species barriers, and expand its host range. There is growing evidence of interspecies transmission including infection of domestic animals and widespread circulation in wildlife. However, knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 stability in animal biological fluids and their role in transmission is still limited as previous studies focused on human biological fluids. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 stability in biological fluids from three animal species, cats, sheep and white-tailed deer (WTD). Saliva, feces, 10% fecal suspensions, and urine of cats, sheep, and WTD were mixed with a known concentration of virus and incubated under indoor and three different climatic conditions. Our results show that the virus was stable for up to 1 day in the saliva of cats, sheep, and WTD regardless of the environmental conditions. The virus remained infectious for up to 6 days in feces and 15 days in fecal suspension of WTD, whereas the virus was rather unstable in cat and sheep feces and fecal suspensions. We found the longest survival of SARS-CoV-2 in the urine of cats, sheep, and WTD. Furthermore, side-by-side comparison with different SARS-CoV-2 strains showed that the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of concern were less stable than the ancestral Wuhan-like strain in WTD fecal suspension. The results of our study provide valuable information for assessing the potential role of various animal biological fluids in SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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