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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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Seekings AH, Shipley R, Byrne AMP, Shukla S, Golding M, Amaya-Cuesta J, Goharriz H, Vitores AG, Lean FZX, James J, Núñez A, Breed A, Frost A, Balzer J, Brown IH, Brookes SM, McElhinney LM. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant (B.1.617.2) in Domestic Dogs and Zoo Tigers in England and Jersey during 2021. Viruses 2024; 16:617. [PMID: 38675958 PMCID: PMC11053977 DOI: 10.3390/v16040617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Reverse zoonotic transmission events of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been described since the start of the pandemic, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) designated the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in animals a reportable disease. Eighteen domestic and zoo animals in Great Britain and Jersey were tested by APHA for SARS-CoV-2 during 2020-2023. One domestic cat (Felis catus), three domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and three Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) from a zoo were confirmed positive during 2020-2021 and reported to the WOAH. All seven positive animals were linked with known SARS-CoV-2 positive human contacts. Characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 variants by genome sequencing indicated that the cat was infected with an early SARS-CoV-2 lineage. The three dogs and three tigers were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern (B.1.617.2). The role of non-human species in the onward transmission and emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly defined. Continued surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in relevant domestic and captive animal species with high levels of human contact is important to monitor transmission at the human-animal interface and to assess their role as potential animal reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda H. Seekings
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Rebecca Shipley
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alexander M. P. Byrne
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- Worldwide Influenza Centre, The Francis Crick Institute, Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Shweta Shukla
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Megan Golding
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Joan Amaya-Cuesta
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Hooman Goharriz
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ana Gómez Vitores
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Fabian Z. X. Lean
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Joe James
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alejandro Núñez
- Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alistair Breed
- Government of Jersey, Infrastructure Housing and Environment, Howard Davis Farm, La Route de la Trinité, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5JP, UK
| | - Andrew Frost
- One Health, Animal Health and Welfare Advice Team, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, UK
| | - Jörg Balzer
- Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Humboldtstraße 2, 70806 Kornwestheim, Germany
| | - Ian H. Brown
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Sharon M. Brookes
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Lorraine M. McElhinney
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- National Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals, Animal and Plant Health Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
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Khalil AM, Martinez-Sobrido L, Mostafa A. Zoonosis and zooanthroponosis of emerging respiratory viruses. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1232772. [PMID: 38249300 PMCID: PMC10796657 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1232772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung infections in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) are triggered by a variety of respiratory viruses. All human pandemics have been caused by the members of two major virus families, namely Orthomyxoviridae (influenza A viruses (IAVs); subtypes H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2) and Coronaviridae (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2). These viruses acquired some adaptive changes in a known intermediate host including domestic birds (IAVs) or unknown intermediate host (SARS-CoV-2) following transmission from their natural reservoirs (e.g. migratory birds or bats, respectively). Verily, these acquired adaptive substitutions facilitated crossing species barriers by these viruses to infect humans in a phenomenon that is known as zoonosis. Besides, these adaptive substitutions aided the variant strain to transmit horizontally to other contact non-human animal species including pets and wild animals (zooanthroponosis). Herein we discuss the main zoonotic and reverse-zoonosis events that occurred during the last two pandemics of influenza A/H1N1 and SARS-CoV-2. We also highlight the impact of interspecies transmission of these pandemic viruses on virus evolution and possible prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Based on information available and presented in this review article, it is important to close monitoring viral zoonosis and viral reverse zoonosis of pandemic strains within a One-Health and One-World approach to mitigate their unforeseen risks, such as virus evolution and resistance to limited prophylactic and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Magdy Khalil
- Disease Intervention & Prevention and Host Pathogen Interactions Programs, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Department of Zoonotic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Luis Martinez-Sobrido
- Disease Intervention & Prevention and Host Pathogen Interactions Programs, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Ahmed Mostafa
- Disease Intervention & Prevention and Host Pathogen Interactions Programs, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, United States
- Center of Scientific Excellence for Influenza Viruses, Water Pollution Research Department, Environment and Climate Change Research Institute, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
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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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Gomez-Romero N, Basurto-Alcantara FJ, Velazquez-Salinas L. Assessing the Potential Role of Cats ( Felis catus) as Generators of Relevant SARS-CoV-2 Lineages during the Pandemic. Pathogens 2023; 12:1361. [PMID: 38003825 PMCID: PMC10675002 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111361] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Several questions regarding the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly elucidated. One of these questions is the possible evolutionary impact of SARS-CoV-2 after the infection in domestic animals. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role of cats as generators of relevant SARS-CoV-2 lineages during the pandemic. A total of 105 full-length genome viral sequences obtained from naturally infected cats during the pandemic were evaluated by distinct evolutionary algorithms. Analyses were enhanced, including a set of highly related SARS-CoV-2 sequences recovered from human populations. Our results showed the apparent high susceptibility of cats to the infection SARS-CoV-2 compared with other animal species. Evolutionary analyses indicated that the phylogenomic characteristics displayed by cat populations were influenced by the dominance of specific SARS-CoV-2 genetic groups affecting human populations. However, disparate dN/dS rates at some genes between populations recovered from cats and humans suggested that infection in these two species may suggest a different evolutionary constraint for SARS-CoV-2. Interestingly, the branch selection analysis showed evidence of the potential role of natural selection in the emergence of five distinct cat lineages during the pandemic. Although these lineages were apparently irrelevant to public health during the pandemic, our results suggested that additional studies are needed to understand the role of other animal species in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninnet Gomez-Romero
- Comisión México-Estados Unidos para la Prevención de Fiebre Aftosa y Otras Enfermedades Exóticas de los Animales, Carretera Mexico-Toluca Km 15.5 Piso 4 Col. Palo Alto, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, Mexico City 05110, Mexico;
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad No. 3000 Col Copilco Universidad, Mexico City 14510, Mexico;
| | - Francisco Javier Basurto-Alcantara
- Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad No. 3000 Col Copilco Universidad, Mexico City 14510, Mexico;
| | - Lauro Velazquez-Salinas
- Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Greenport, NY 11944, USA
- National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
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Thieulent CJ, Carossino M, Peak L, Wolfson W, Balasuriya UBR. Multiplex One-Step RT-qPCR Assays for Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Enteric Viruses of Dogs and Cats. Viruses 2023; 15:1890. [PMID: 37766296 PMCID: PMC10534472 DOI: 10.3390/v15091890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was transmitted from humans to dogs and cats (reverse zoonosis) during the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in fecal samples of infected dogs and cats, indicating potential fecal-oral transmission, environmental contamination, and zoonotic transmission (i.e., spillback). Additionally, gastrointestinal viral infections are prevalent in dogs and cats. In this study, we developed and validated a panel of multiplex one-step reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays for the simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and common canine enteric viruses: Canine Enteric Assay_1 (CEA_1) for the detection of canine adenovirus-1, canine enteric coronavirus, canine distemper virus, and canine parvovirus, and CEA_2 for the detection of rotavirus A (RVA), and SARS-CoV-2); or common feline enteric viruses (Feline Enteric Assay_1 (FEA_1) for the detection of feline enteric coronavirus, feline panleukopenia virus, RVA, and SARS-CoV-2). All assays demonstrated high analytical sensitivity, detecting as few as 5-35 genome copies/µL in multiplex format. The repeatability and reproducibility of the multiplex assays were excellent, with coefficient of variation <4%. Among the 58 clinical samples tested, 34.5% were positive for at least one of these viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected in two samples collected from one dog and one cat, respectively. In conclusion, these newly developed one-step multiplex RT-qPCR assays allow for rapid diagnosis of enteric viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in dogs and cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Côme J. Thieulent
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (C.J.T.); (M.C.); (L.P.)
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Mariano Carossino
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (C.J.T.); (M.C.); (L.P.)
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Laura Peak
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (C.J.T.); (M.C.); (L.P.)
| | - Wendy Wolfson
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;
| | - Udeni B. R. Balasuriya
- Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (C.J.T.); (M.C.); (L.P.)
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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