Molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in domestic cats in close contact with positively-infected owners in Tehran, Iran in 2021.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

In 2019, COVID-19 emerged in China and has since spread worldwide. Owing to the virus's ability to adhere to specific receptors, cats are susceptible to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The popularity of pet cats in Iran has sparked fears of human-cat-human transmission of the virus. This study aimed to identify positive cases in cats owned by people infected with SARS-CoV-2, to determine if they remained positive for >3 weeks and to examine the virus genome isolated from a number of cats and one of their owners.

Methods

A total of 30 cats were sampled approximately 3 days after their owners tested positive (day 1), and 3 weeks later, in strict accordance with health regulations. Rectal and oropharyngeal samples were col

SUBMITTER: Saneei D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10422899 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature