Detection and characterization of novel luchacoviruses, genus Alphacoronavirus, shed in saliva and feces of meso-carnivores in the northeastern United States.

ABSTRACT: Small to mid-sized carnivores, or meso-carnivores, comprise a group of diverse mammals, many of which can adapt to anthropogenically disturbed environments. Wild meso-carnivores living in urban areas may get exposed to or spread pathogens to other species, including stray/feral domestic animals. Several coronaviruses (CoVs) have been detected in domesticated and farmed meso-carnivores, but knowledge of CoVs circulating in free-ranging wild meso-carnivores remains limited. In this study, we analyzed 321 samples collected between 2016 and 2022 from 9 species of free-ranging wild meso-carnivores and stray/feral domestic cats in the northeastern United States. Using a pan-CoV PCR, we screened tissues, feces, and saliva, nasal, and rectal swabs. We detected CoV RNA in fecal and saliva samples o

SUBMITTER: Olarte-Castillo XA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10515766 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature