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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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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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Interactions between Humans and Dogs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recent Updates and Future Perspectives. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030524. [PMID: 36766413 PMCID: PMC9913536 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is one of the deadliest epidemics. This pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the role of dogs in spreading the disease in human society is poorly understood. This review sheds light on the limited susceptibility of dogs to COVID-19 infections which is likely attributed to the relatively low levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the respiratory tract and the phylogenetic distance of ACE2 in dogs from the human ACE2 receptor. The low levels of ACE2 affect the binding affinity between spike and ACE2 proteins resulting in it being uncommon for dogs to spread the disease. To demonstrate the role of dogs in spreading COVID-19, we reviewed the epidemiological studies and prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in dogs. Additionally, we discussed the use of detection dogs as a rapid and reliable method for effectively discriminating between SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected individuals using different types of samples (secretions, saliva, and sweat). We considered the available information on COVID-19 in the human-dog interfaces involving the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 to dogs by infected individuals and vice versa, the human-dog behavior changes, and the importance of preventive measures because the risk of transmission by domestic dogs remains a concern.
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Gabrielson K, Myers S, Yi J, Gabrielson E, Jimenez IA. Comparison of Cardiovascular Pathology In Animal Models of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Recommendations Regarding Standardization of Research Methods. Comp Med 2023; 73:58-71. [PMID: 36731878 PMCID: PMC9948900 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-22-000095] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged as the viral pathogen that led to the global COVID-19 pandemic that began in late 2019. Because SARS-CoV-2 primarily causes a respiratory disease, much research conducted to date has focused on the respiratory system. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection also affects other organ systems, including the cardiovascular system. In this critical analysis of published data, we evaluate the evidence of cardiovascular pathology in human patients and animals. Overall, we find that the presence or absence of cardiovascular pathology is reported infrequently in both human autopsy studies and animal models of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, in those studies that have reported cardiovascular pathology, we identified issues in their design and execution that reduce confidence in the conclusions regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection as a cause of significant cardiovascular pathology. Throughout this overview, we expand on these limitations and provide recommendations to ensure a high level of scientific rigor and reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Gabrielson
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stephanie Myers
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, Texas; and
| | - Jena Yi
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Edward Gabrielson
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Isabel A Jimenez
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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