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Cavicchio L, Campalto M, Carrino M, Lucchese L, Ceglie L, Fincato A, Boscolo Cegion L, Mazzotta E, Beato MS, Natale A. Influenza in feral cat populations: insights from a study in North-East Italy. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1439354. [PMID: 39247126 PMCID: PMC11378839 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1439354] [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: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) can cause high morbidity and mortality in domestic and wild avian species and it is able to infect mammals as well. IAV in cats is sporadic and self-limiting but the recent findings of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) with genetic signatures of mammalian adaptation, in domestic cats, has raised new concerns about the potential role of cats in the virus ecology. The present study aimed to investigate the circulation of IAV in companion animals' shelters in North-eastern Italy. All samples were collected from feral cats living in feline colonies that were hosted in the companion animals' shelters for the requisite period to administer the veterinary treatments. Between 2021 and 2022, 389 oropharyngeal swabs and 279 sera were collected. All swabs tested negative for IAV and the only one ELISA positive serum sample resulted H5 positive by HI test with a titer of 1:80. Despite the sporadic occurrence of influenza in cats, continuous monitoring is crucial due to the evolving zoonotic nature of the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Cavicchio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Mery Campalto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Marilena Carrino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Laura Lucchese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Letizia Ceglie
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alice Fincato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Mazzotta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Beato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
| | - Alda Natale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Legnaro, Italy
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2
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Ferrara G, Pagnini U, Montagnaro S. SARS-CoV-2 exposure in hunting and stray dogs of southern Italy. Vet Res Commun 2024:10.1007/s11259-024-10496-9. [PMID: 39167256 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10496-9] [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: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Evidence of exposure to the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 has been described in numerous animal species, including pets, which are predisposed to coming into contact with this virus due to their close relationship with owners. It has been accepted that dogs are poorly susceptible to this virus and that seroconversion, rather than shedding, occurs following infection, which can occur directly through contact with infected owners or indirectly through environmental contamination. In this study, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated in apparently health hunting and stray dogs of Campania region, southern Italy (sampled in September 2023). A total of 5/112 (4.5%) animals tested seropositive using two different commercial ELISAs. Stray animals had greater exposure than hunting dogs. The feces and blood of each animal were tested with a real-time PCR targeting the nucleocapsid and ORF1ab coding sequences. No animal tested positive in molecular investigations, indicating a past exposure without active infection at the time of sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy.
| | - Ugo Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino n.1, Naples, 80137, Italy
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3
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Daigle L, Khalid H, Gagnon CA, Arsenault J, Bienzle D, Bisson SK, Blais MC, Denis-Robichaud J, Forest C, Grenier St-Sauveur V, Koszegi M, MacNicol J, Nantel-Fortier N, Nury C, Prystajecky N, Fraser E, Carabin H, Aenishaenslin C. High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in cats recently exposed to human cases. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:304. [PMID: 38982461 PMCID: PMC11232172 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04150-4] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The primary objective of this cross-sectional study, conducted in Québec and Bristish Columbia (Canada) between February 2021 and January 2022, was to measure the prevalence of viral RNA in oronasal and rectal swabs and serum antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) amongst cats living in households with at least one confirmed human case. Secondary objectives included a description of potential risk factors for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and an estimation of the association between the presence of viral RNA in swabs as well as SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and clinical signs. Oronasal and rectal swabs and sera were collected from 55 cats from 40 households at most 15 days after a human case confirmation, and at up to two follow-up visits. A RT-qPCR assay and an ELISA were used to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in swabs and serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, respectively. Prevalence and 95% Bayesian credibility intervals (BCI) were calculated, and associations were evaluated using prevalence ratio and 95% BCI obtained from Bayesian mixed log-binomial models. RESULTS Nine (0.16; 95% BCI = 0.08-0.28) and 38 (0.69; 95% BCI = 0.56-0.80) cats had at least one positive RT-qPCR and at least one positive serological test result, respectively. No risk factor was associated with the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies. The prevalence of clinical signs suggestive of COVID-19 in cats, mainly sneezing, was 2.12 (95% BCI = 1.03-3.98) times higher amongst cats with detectable viral RNA compared to those without. CONCLUSIONS We showed that cats develop antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 when exposed to recent human cases, but detection of viral RNA on swabs is rare, even when sampling occurs soon after confirmation of a human case. Moreover, cats with detectable levels of virus showed clinical signs more often than cats without signs, which can be useful for the management of such cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Daigle
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada.
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada.
- Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Qc, Canada.
| | - Hattaw Khalid
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, UBC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carl A Gagnon
- Swine and Poultry Infectious Diseases Research Center - FRQ, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL), Centre de Diagnostic Vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal (CDVUM), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - Julie Arsenault
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - Dorothee Bienzle
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah-Kim Bisson
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Blais
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - José Denis-Robichaud
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
- Independent Researcher, Amqui, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Forest
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - Valérie Grenier St-Sauveur
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL), Centre de Diagnostic Vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal (CDVUM), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - Marika Koszegi
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL), Centre de Diagnostic Vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal (CDVUM), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - Jennifer MacNicol
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nicolas Nantel-Fortier
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL), Centre de Diagnostic Vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal (CDVUM), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - Charlotte Nury
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
| | - Natalie Prystajecky
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Erin Fraser
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, UBC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hélène Carabin
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Qc, Canada
| | - Cécile Aenishaenslin
- Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Qc, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, Qc, Canada
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4
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Heydarifard Z, Chegeni AM, Heydarifard F, Nikmanesh B, Salimi V. An overview of SARS-CoV2 natural infections in companion animals: A systematic review of the current evidence. Rev Med Virol 2024; 34:e2512. [PMID: 38282405 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2512] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of natural SARS-CoV-2 infections in companion animals. The findings show that these infections are relatively rare. Among the examined dogs, only 1.32% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while for cats, the rate was 1.55%. Infections in rabbits and ferrets were even less common, at less than 1%. These results support previous research indicating the infrequency of natural infections in companion animals. The review also includes updated studies that involved various pets, such as cats, dogs, ferrets, and rabbits. The majority of the studies analyzed were primarily concerned with screening pets that visited veterinary clinics, regardless of whether they showed any specific signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Only a limited number of studies investigated infections in animals suspected of being in contact with owners or other animals that had COVID-19 or were exhibiting symptoms. The most common variant identified among the SARS-CoV-2 variants in the reviewed studies was B.1.1.7 (alpha), followed by B.1.617.2 (delta), B.1.526 (Iota), and others. The emergence of these variants raises concerns about their potential for increased transmissibility and virulence, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections in both humans and animals. Furthermore, most of the reviewed studies indicated that infected pets either showed no symptoms or experienced mild symptoms. This aligns with previous reports suggesting that animals infected with SARS-CoV-2 generally have less severe illness compared to humans. However, it is essential to recognize the possibility of severe illness or death in animals, particularly those with underlying health conditions. Continuous surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infections in companion animals is crucial for better understanding the virus's epidemiology in animals and developing effective strategies to protect both animal and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Heydarifard
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Ardalan Maleki Chegeni
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Heydarifard
- Department of Veterinary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Bahram Nikmanesh
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Zoonoses Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Salimi
- Zoonoses Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Virology Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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5
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Nilsson MG, Santana Cordeiro MDC, Gonçalves ACA, Dos Santos Conzentino M, Huergo LF, Vicentini F, Reis JBL, Biondo AW, Kmetiuk LB, da Silva AV. High seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 infection in dogs: Age as risk factor for infection in shelter and foster home animals. Prev Vet Med 2024; 222:106094. [PMID: 38103433 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106094] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has caused 775 outbreaks in 29 animal species across 36 countries, including dogs, cats, ferrets, minks, non-human primates, white-tailed deer, and lions. Although transmission from owners to dogs has been extensively described, no study to date has also compared sheltered, foster home and owner dogs and associated risk factors. This study aimed to identify SARS-CoV-2 infection and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from sheltered, fostered, and owned dogs, associated with environmental and management risk factors. Serum samples and swabs were collected from each dog, and an epidemiological questionnaire was completed by the shelter manager, foster care, and owner. A total of 111 dogs, including 222 oropharyngeal and rectal swabs, tested negative by RT-qPCR. Overall, 18/89 (20.22%) dogs presented IgG antibodies against the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 by magnetic ELISA, while none showed a reaction to the Spike protein. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies showed an age-related association, with 4.16 chance of positivity in adult dogs when compared with young ones. High population density among dogs and humans, coupled with repeated COVID-19 exposure, emerged as potential risk factors in canine virus epidemiology. Dogs exhibited higher seropositivity rates in these contexts. Thus, we propose expanded seroepidemiological and molecular studies across species and scenarios, including shelter dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Guimarães Nilsson
- Graduate College of Animal Science in the Tropics, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), 40170-110 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | - Fernando Vicentini
- Health Sciences Center, Federal University of the Recôncavo of Bahia (UFRB), 44430-622 Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Jeiza Botelho Leal Reis
- Health Sciences Center, Federal University of the Recôncavo of Bahia (UFRB), 44430-622 Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Graduate College of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), 81531-970 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Carlos Chagas Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Curitiba, Paraná 81310-020, Brazil
| | - Aristeu Vieira da Silva
- Zoonosis and Public Health Research Group, Earth and Environmental Science Modelling Graduate, State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS), 44036-900 Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil.
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6
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Castillo AP, Miranda JVO, Fonseca PLC, Silva SDO, Lopes REN, Spanhol VC, Moreira RG, Nicolino RR, Queiroz DC, de Araújo E Santos LCG, Dos Santos APS, Rivetti HAA, Martins-Duarte ES, de Almeida Vitor RW, Dos Reis JKP, Aguiar RS, da Silveira JAG. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and co-infections in stray cats in Brazil. Acta Trop 2024; 249:107056. [PMID: 37913970 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107056] [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: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The zoonotic virus SARS-CoV-2, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans (COVID-19), has been identified in cats. Notably, most positive cases were in cats that had close contact with infected humans, suggesting a role for humans in animal transmission routes. Previous studies have suggested that animals with immune depletion are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. To date, there is limited evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in stray and free-range cats affected by other pathogens. In this study, we investigated infections caused by SARS-CoV-2, Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Mycoplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in stray cats from an urban park in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. From February to September 2021, 78 mixed-breed cats were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and hemopathogens using molecular analysis at Américo Renné Giannetti Municipal Park, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect IgG in T. gondii. None of the animals in this study showed any clinical signs of infections. The SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA was detected in 7.7 % of cats, and a whole virus genome sequence analysis revealed the SARS-CoV-2 Delta lineage (B.1.617.2). Phylogenetic analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2 isolated from cats was grouped into the sublineage AY.99.2, which matches the epidemiological scenario of COVID-19 in the urban area of our study. Leishmania infantum was detected and sequenced in 9 % of cats. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 23.1 %. Hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. was detected in 7.7 % of the cats, with Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum being the most common. Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae were detected in 38.5 % of the cats, FeLV was detected in 17,9 %, and none of the cats studied tested positive for FIV. This study reports, for the first time, the SARS-CoV-2 infection with whole-genome sequencing in stray cats in southeastern Brazil and co-infection with other pathogens, including Bartonella spp. and Feline leukemia virus. Our study observed no correlation between SARS-CoV-2 and the other detected pathogens. Our results emphasize the importance of monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in stray cats to characterize their epidemiological role in SARS-CoV-2 infection and reinforce the importance of zoonotic disease surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisleidy Pérez Castillo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil; Laboratório de PROTOVET, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Joao Victor Oliveira Miranda
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Paula Luize Camargos Fonseca
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Soraia de Oliveira Silva
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rosálida Estevam Nazar Lopes
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Viviane Campos Spanhol
- Laboratório de Retroviroses, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rennan Garcias Moreira
- Centro de Laboratórios Multiusuários, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rafael Romero Nicolino
- Departamento de Epidemiologia e Defesa Sanitária Animal, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Daniel Costa Queiroz
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Luiza Campos Guerra de Araújo E Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Anna Pio Soares Dos Santos
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Hugo Adriano Araújo Rivetti
- Centro de Controle de Zoonoses, Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte, R. Édna Quintel, 173 - São Bernardo, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-705, Brazil
| | - Erica S Martins-Duarte
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Wagner de Almeida Vitor
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Jenner Karlisson Pimenta Dos Reis
- Laboratório de Retroviroses, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Renato Santana Aguiar
- Laboratório de Biologia Integrativa, Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Júlia Angélica Gonçalves da Silveira
- Laboratório de PROTOVET, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627 - Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
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7
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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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